(2nd LD) N. Korea fires 2 short-range ballistic missiles toward East Sea: S. Korean military

Defense 13:36 October 28, 2022

(ATTN: UPDATES with U.S. military's response in paras 5-7)

SEOUL, Oct. 28 (Yonhap) -- North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) toward the East Sea on Friday, the South Korean military said, as Seoul's major military exercise drew to a close.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launches from the Tongchon area in Kangwon Province between 11:59 a.m. and 12:18 p.m. It did not provide other details.

"While reinforcing our monitoring and vigilance, our military is maintaining a full readiness posture in close cooperation with the United States," the JCS said in a text message sent to reporters.

The latest launch came as the South is set to conclude its Hoguk exercise later in the day. Seoul and Washington are also preparing to stage major combined air drills, called Vigilant Storm, next week.

In a statement, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command highlighted Washington's "ironclad" security commitment to Seoul and Tokyo.

"While we have assessed that this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies, the missile launches highlight the destabilizing impact of the DPRK's unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs," the command said.

DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. WMD means weapons of mass destruction.

The North last fired a short-range ballistic missile Oct. 14.