The Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea fired more than 10 missiles, including short-range ballistic missiles, into the East Sea and the West Sea at 8:51 a.m. today.
One of the three missiles fired from Wonsan, Gangwon-do, landed on the international waters south of the Northern Limit Line in the East Sea.
The missile was detected 26 kilometers south of the Northern Limit Line in the East Sea, 57 kilometers east of Sokcho, and 167 kilometers northwest of Ulleungdo Island.
North Korea has fired coastal artillery and rocket launchers south of the Northern Limit Line, but this is the first time that a ballistic missile has been fired south of the Northern Limit Line.
An air raid warning was issued on Ulleungdo Island at around 8:55 a.m. today as the direction of the missile was detected to be toward Ulleungdo Island.
The evacuation order for residents was also issued, but it has been lifted at around 9:08 a.m.
Immediately after the launch, the South Korean military raised its alert level to level 2 and said it is closely monitoring the current situation.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff said that the North Korean missile launch fell close to South Korean waters south of the NLL for the first time since the division and that it was very unusual and unacceptable.
The Ministry of National Defense and the Hamsham, which operate a joint crisis management system, say they will firmly respond to North Korea's provocations.
Though such a situation is not unfamiliar to some South Koreans as the provocations have been continuous since the country’s division, we should still pay attention to how the situation flows and get ready for any dangers. The more we get exposed to and familiar with the situation, the more likely to be not ready when the real evacuation happens. The lack of safety awareness is the worst thing for any danger.
Writer: Amy Jeong
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