North Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles hours before U.S. election

North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Tuesday, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, several hours ahead of the U.S. presidential election.
 
The JCS said the military detected the launches around 7:30 a.m. from the Sariwon area in North Hwanghae Province without providing further details.  
 

Related Article

• North Korea testing missile with the range to strike the United States

• South, U.S. show off capabilities against mobile missile launchers in air-strike drills

• North Korea claims successful ICBM test, declares 'irreversible' nuclear delivery status

• North Korea launches ICBM that sets flight time record

The South Korean military said it is conducting an analysis of the missiles’ flight range and type.  
 
The JCS said in a statement it is strengthening its monitoring in case of additional launches and “maintaining full readiness while closely sharing North Korean ballistic missile data with U.S. and Japanese authorities.”  
 
Last Thursday, North Korea launched a new Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the East Sea.
 

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]