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North Korea paraded tracked TELs on 15 April carrying launch tubes consistent with the country's version of the Russian 3M24 anti-ship missile system. It is possible that the missiles launched by Pyongyang on 8 May were similar to these. Source: KCNA
North Korea test-fired what appears to have been a salvo of anti-ship cruise missiles from its east coast on 8 June, the Yonhap news agency reported, citing South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
"North Korea fired several unidentified projectiles, which are assumed to be short-range surface-to-ship cruise missiles, this morning in the direction of the East Sea [also known as Sea of Japan] from the vicinity of [the eastern port city of] Wonsan, Kangwon Province," the JCS were quoted as saying, adding that the missiles flew for about 200 km (124 miles).
JCS spokesperson Colonel Roh Jae-cheon told reporters that the missiles flew in a northeasterly direction at a maximum altitude of about 2 km (1.24 miles) from the port city. He added that the launches started about 06:18 h (local time) and continued for several minutes.
Col Roh was also quoted by CNN as saying, "We assess that North Korea intended to show off its various missile capabilities [and] display its precise targeting capability in the form of armed protests against ships in regard to US Navy carrier strike groups and joint naval drills".
The US-based media outlet reported that a total of four missiles were fired.
The latest development marks the 11th time this year that Pyongyang has test-fired missiles and the fifth time since the new South Korean administration of President Moon Jae-in took office on 10 May.
It is possible that the recently fired missiles are similar to those that were displayed by North Korea during its parade on 15 April in Pyongyang to mark the 105th anniversary of the birth of the country's late founder, Kim Il-sung.
However, confirmation of this was not immediately possible as North Korea has yet to comment on or release images of the latest firing. The regime in Pyongyang often releases such images a day after its missile firings.
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http://www.janes.com/article/71250/north-korea-test-fires-possible-anti-ship-missiles
