North Korea announced today that it had tested an "important" and "advanced" weapons system yesterday, including the launch of two ballistic missiles from the capital Pyongyang, without North Korean leader Kim Jong-un present, Kyodo and Agence France-Presse agencies reported.
The missiles were fired yesterday in a northeasterly direction and hit a target in North Hamgyong Province, as the test is part of a program to develop defense capabilities to strengthen "strategic deterrence against potential enemies" of the country, the Korean Central News Agency reported.
North Korean media did not provide details on the range, trajectory or flight speed of the missiles, AFP noted.
Yesterday morning, the South Korean military detected the launch of several missiles, believed to be short-range ballistic missiles. This is the first missile launch since South Korean President Lee Jae-myeon took office in June.
On October 10, North Korea displayed a short-range ballistic missile during a military parade in Pyongyang, known as the "Hwasong 11", equipped with hypersonic warheads. The parade was organized to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.
The missile launch took place ahead of an expected visit by US President Donald Trump to South Korea, a week before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.