North Korea says it tested intermediate-range missile amid tensions over DMZ blasts

North Korea said it conducted an intermediate-range missile test on Saturday, after South Korea’s military detected a ballistic missile launched from the Wonsan area toward the sea off the peninsula’s east coast.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile flew more than 700 kilometres. Seoul increased monitoring for additional launches and said it was sharing intelligence with the United States and Japan. South Korea’s presidential national security office convened an emergency meeting, while Japan issued an alert and said the projectile appeared to have fallen. The US Pacific Command said its initial assessment found no immediate threat to US personnel, territory or allies.

The launch followed renewed tensions over land-mine blasts in the Demilitarized Zone that seriously injured three South Korean soldiers during a reconnaissance mission last month. South Korea and the US-led United Nations Command said North Korean mines caused the explosions and Seoul demanded an apology, while also urging Pyongyang to stop fortifying the border with mines and anti-tank barriers.

Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, rejected the accusation as a “conspiratorial farce” and called Seoul’s demands “utterly pathetic.” She said North Korea intended to permanently cut ties with South Korea and warned that Pyongyang was prepared to respond to any action by Seoul.