HOT! South Korea launches missile into the Yellow Sea

A Hyunmoo-II ballistic missile is launched from a road-mobile launcher (TEL) in Taean, South Chungcheong Province on November 8. (Source: Yonhap)

South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted the country's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) as saying that the launch took place as part of a live-fire exercise in the coastal district of Taean, 108 km southwest of Seoul.

According to the scenario, the South Korean missile unit fired a Hyunmoo-II short-range ballistic missile to attack a target at sea, simulating the origin of North Korea's missiles.

"Through this exercise, our military demonstrated its strong determination to respond to any provocation as well as the capability and posture to precisely strike the enemy's provocation target," the JCS statement said.

The South Korean military said it would continue to closely monitor North Korea's military activities with the United States, noting that the alliance was ready to respond "overwhelmingly" to any provocations.

On November 6, the JCS confirmed that the country conducted a missile interception exercise to demonstrate its air defense capabilities, with the participation of Cheongung-II and Patriot systems.

The moves come after North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on November 5. The launches this week are believed to involve Pyongyang’s 600mm multiple rocket launcher system.

Late last month, North Korea test-fired a new Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), a version that Pyongyang described as "state-of-the-art."