North Korea Fires Unidentified Projectile Toward East Sea

North Korea fired toward the East Sea on Oct. 29 around 12:30 p.m. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff detected the launch and is analyzing its specifications. The JCS said, "Our military has strengthened surveillance and vigilance in preparation for possible additional launches." Japan's Ministry of Defense assessed the projectile may have been ballistic and likely had already fallen. The Korea Herald reported more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles from Wonsan and called it the year's 17th ballistic missile launch. Other outlets described an unidentified projectile. If confirmed ballistic, it would be the first in 17 days since Oct. 12 launches from the Pyongyang area, when some missiles flew more than 900 km and KCNA called them a tactical ballistic missile test. North Korea also test-fired submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles in the East Sea on Oct. 14, per KCNA. The launch came a day after 11 countries and the EU issued a joint statement reaffirming denuclearization and welcoming sanctions on North Korea's overseas workers, cyber activities, and military cooperation with Russia. SBS noted Kim Yo-jong put propaganda loudspeakers toward South Korea into operational status in October. JCS analysis details were not immediately available.