(LEAD) N. Korea fires two cruise missiles toward Yellow Sea: S. Korean official
(ATTN: UPDATES lead paras with details)
SEOUL, Aug. 17 (Yonhap) -- North Korea test-fired two cruise missiles toward the Yellow Sea on Wednesday, a South Korean military official said, as President Yoon Suk-yeol held a press conference to mark the 100th day since taking office.
"(The military) has detected two cruise missiles launched by North Korea from Onchon, South Pyongan Province, into the Yellow Sea early this morning," the official said on the customary condition of anonymity without providing further details, including the exact type of missiles and time of the firing.
South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities are conducting a related analysis, with the allies maintaining a firm readiness posture, added the official.
In his Liberation Day speech two days earlier, Yoon laid out the details of his "audacious initiative" meant to help the North improve its economy in the event it takes denuclearization steps.
The North's first known launch of a cruise missile since January also came a day after South Korean and American military troops kicked off preliminary drills just ahead of the start of their annual combined Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise.
While the North is banned from making launches using ballistic missile technologies under U.N. Security Council resolutions, such a firing of a cruise missile is not in violation of them.
https://youtu.be/gK-BGZN1jik
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
Yoon set to travel to U.S. for NATO summit with focus on Russia-N. Korea ties -
Yoon expected to warn against N. Korea-Russia defense cooperation at NATO summit -
N.K. leader's sister slams S. Korea's resumption of live-fire drills as 'suicidal hysteria' -
(News Focus) First lady text allegations rekindle tensions between Han, Yoon's office -
(LEAD) Yoon says Russia should choose whether S. Korea or N. Korea is more important
-
Only 34 pct of S. Korean elites favor nuclearization: CSIS poll -
Yoon's approval rating falls for 3 weeks straight to 30.2 pct -
Disagreement over ambassador, presidential aide opens up fresh rift between Yoon, PPP leader -
Political parties ramp up campaign efforts amid shifting opinion polls -
(News Focus) U.S. focus on 'interim' steps with N. Korea raises questions about policy direction