Two medium-range ballistic missiles fired by North Korea this morning towards the East Sea, also known as the Sea of ​​Japan, reached an altitude of about 500 kilometers before falling into the sea, the South Korean National Defense General Headquarters said. said.

For its part, the Japanese Ministry of Defense reported that they reached an altitude of 550 kilometers and covered a distance of 250 kilometers.

Pyongyang has conducted an unprecedented number of missile tests this year.

The new launches came less than 24 hours after Pyongyang announced “successful” testing of a new “solid-propellant” engine capable of developing “high thrust”, potentially allowing it to develop far better weapons.

According to the South Korean General Staff, they originated from the Togjagri region, North Pyongan province, at 11:13 and 12:05 (local time; 04:13 and 05:05 Greek time) in an easterly direction.

“Our military has stepped up its surveillance and vigilance, working closely with the United States, and is now on full alert,” the South Korean military said.

Japan’s Deputy Defense Minister Toshiro Aso said “a threat to the peace and security of our country, our region and the international community”, which is “completely unacceptable”.

The day before on Friday, North Korea’s official news agency KCNA reported on the test of a “high-thrust solid-propellant engine,” referring to “a scientific and technological guarantee for the development of a new strategic type of weapon.”

Despite international outcry and sanctions, Pyongyang continues to pay great attention to its weapons program, seeking to acquire a large arsenal of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

Today, however, everything it builds relies on liquid-fuel engines, and leader Kim Jong-un made the development of solid-fuel engines a strategic priority last year so that his country’s armed forces can acquire far better missiles. .

Among the goals that he set was the development of a solid-propellant ICBM capable of being launched both from ground positions and from submarines.

Testing the engine this week, however, is only one step, and assessing where Pyongyang is in developing weapons based on it is especially difficult, experts say.

Seoul and Washington have also been warning for months that North Korea is preparing to conduct a new nuclear test, the seventh in its history.

Source: AFP, Reuters, APE-MPE.