North Korea launches short-range projectiles: reports

North Korea launched two short-range projectile early Thursday morning local time, according to media reports.

South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency and CNN reported that an unidentified projectile was fired near the east coast city of Wonsan, with CNN later citing a U.S. defense official as saying it appeared to be at least one short-range projectile resembling those that were fired in May.

The Associated Press also reported that South Korean officials said North Korea had launched two projectiles into the sea from its east coast.

{mosads}“Our military is monitoring the situation in case of additional launches and maintaining a readiness posture,” South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) told Yonhap.

“The US and South Korea are in the process of analyzing the details in relation to the launches,” the JCS added in a statement to CNN.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill.

Thursday’s launch is the first time North Korea is known to have fired off any projectiles since May.

Washington has sought to negotiate with Pyongyang to get it to curtail its missile program and dismantle its nuclear stockpile.

President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have attended two summits together to attempt to reach a deal, one in Singapore in 2018 and the other in Vietnam earlier this year that was cut short.

Trump has expressed confidence in his ability to get a deal, making an unprecedented trip to the demilitarized zone separated North and South Korea to meet with Kim and becoming the first president to step foot in North Korea. 

“It was great being with Chairman Kim Jong Un of North Korea this weekend. We had a great meeting, he looked really well and very healthy – I look forward to seeing him again soon,” Trump tweeted earlier this month after the meeting.

“In the meantime, our teams will be meeting to work on some solutions to very long term and persistent problems. No rush, but I am sure we will ultimately get there!”

….In the meantime, our teams will be meeting to work on some solutions to very long term and persistent problems. No rush, but I am sure we will ultimately get there!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 1, 2019

John Bowden contributed to this report, which was updated at 7:05 p.m.