North Korea launches missiles into East Sea hours before U.S. presidential election

The Yonhap News Agency reported the information.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) indicated that the missiles were detected around 7:30 a.m. from the Sariwon area in North Hwanghae Province but did not specify the number, as analysis is ongoing.

“While strengthening our military’s monitoring and vigilance in preparation for additional launches, we are maintaining full readiness while closely sharing North Korean ballistic missile data with U.S. and Japanese authorities,” the JCS stated.

This missile test came just before Americans cast their votes in the election between Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump. It also followed North Korea’s test of the Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) five days earlier, which Pyongyang claims strengthens its irreversible hegemonic position in nuclear delivery capabilities.

In response to the prior launch, South Korea, the U.S., and Japan conducted joint air drills over waters east of Jeju, featuring a U.S. B-1B bomber. Shortly before Tuesday's launch, Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, condemned the exercise, calling it the most hostile and dangerous aggressive nature of their adversaries.

North Korea has consistently criticized the presence of U.S. strategic assets on or near the Korean Peninsula, accusing Washington of escalating regional tensions.