US-NK missiles

By Chang Dong-woo

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) said Thursday that North Korea's latest ballistic missile launches posed no immediate threat to the United States or its allies, reaffirming Washington's commitment to regional defense.

"We are aware of the missile launches and are consulting closely with our allies and partners," the command said in a release. "Based on current assessments, this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies," it added.

The statement was issued following the North's firing of about a dozen short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea earlier Thursday (Korean time). The launches are believed to have involved the North's KN-25 super-large 600-millimeter multiple rocket launcher, which Pyongyang claims can be fitted with its Hwasan-31 tactical nuclear warheads.

PACOM said North Korea launched two ballistic missiles Thursday, differing from the South Korean military's assessment that Pyongyang fired about a dozen.

The command also reaffirmed Washington's defense commitments in the region.

"The United States remains committed to the defense of the U.S. homeland and our allies in the region," it said.

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