North Korea fired several suspected ballistic missiles toward the sea on Thursday, according to South Korea. They are the latest in a series of weapons tests this year and came just hours after the Kim Jong Un regime confirmed its very first case of the coronavirus.
A statement from South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the military had detected three short-range ballistic missiles had been fired from the Sunan area of Pyongyang into the East Sea. CBS News’ Jen Kwon in Seoul said the tests were atypical: North Korea normally launches its missiles in the morning, but Thursday’s launches took place in rapid succession late in the afternoon.
Earlier Thursday, North Korean state media confirmed the country’s first COVID-19 infections as leader Kim Jong Un ordered nationwide lockdowns to slow the spread of the virus. Kim also ordered officials to bolster the country’s defense posture to avoid what was described as a potential security vacuum.