North Korea launched two projectiles toward the sea after offering to resume nuclear diplomacy with the U.S.
The projectiles were launched by North Korea from its South Phyongan province and traveled around 330 kilometers towards its east coast waters. According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff and Defense Ministry (JCS), they will probe into possible additional launches. JCS spokesman Kim Joon-rak said "More detailed analysis is needed to determine the exact specifications," after JCS did not specify whether the weapons were ballistic missiles or rocket artillery.
While North Korea offered to resume talks, it also warned that they would end it if the U.S. does not come up with new proposals. The launches were perceived as a way to add pressure to the U.S. in making concessions when the North Korea-U.S. talks restart, such as providing security guarantees and extensive relief from U.S.-led sanctions in exchange for limited denuclearization.
According to Kim Dong-yub, an analyst at Seoul's Institute for Far Eastern Studies, the launches were likely used to test one of the new weapons systems it demonstrated in July and August, which include a mobile short-range ballistic missile system resembling a larger U.S. Army Tactical Missile System and a "super-large"Â multiple rocket system
The launches were North Korea's eighth since late July and its first since August 25 and according to experts, these short-range missile and rocket artillery systems may potentially be able to attack targets throughout South Korea.
Prior to the launches, North Korea's first vice foreign minister Choe Son Hui announced that the North is willing to restart nuclear diplomacy talks with the U.S. but it must provide new proposals acceptable to them. She warned that the dealings may end if they aren't satisfied with the proposals.
U.S. President Donald Trump called the announcement "interesting" and said "We'll see what happens. In the meantime, we have our hostages back, we're getting the remains of our great heroes back and we've had no nuclear testing for a long time."
