N.Korea Fires Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles into Sea of Japan

North Korea fired a barrage of short-range anti-ship cruise missiles into the Sea of Japan (East Sea) on the eve of birth anniversary of founder Kim Il-sung, on Tuesday.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement that the projectiles were fired from northeastward from areas near Munchon town for over 40 minutes, starting at around 7 a.m. The suspected surface-to-ship cruise missiles flew around 150 kilometers before splashing into waters off the east coast, JCS said.

"The military is closely monitoring the situation for possible additional launches, while maintaining a readiness posture," the JCS said in a release.

The launch has also come a day before South Korea legislative election.

While ballistic missiles fly high in altitude and strike targets using the force of gravity, cruise missile travel at low altitudes are powered throughout their flight. Their low altitude of flight makes them harder to be detected.