(LEAD) N. Korea fires multiple short-range ballistic missiles: JCS

▲ A ballistic missile is launched toward the East Sea from the Jangyon County, South Hwanghae Province on March 14, 2023, in this file photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency the following day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) N Korea-missile launch

(LEAD) N. Korea fires multiple short-range ballistic missiles: JCS

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES throughout with more details)

SEOUL, Sept. 18 (Yonhap) -- North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles in a northeastern direction on Wednesday, South Korea's military said, further ratcheting up tensions already heightened by its rare disclosure of a uranium enrichment facility last week.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launches at about 6:50 a.m. from the North's Kaechon area in South Phyongan Province, north of Pyongyang. It did not provide further details, including the number of missiles fired.

"While strengthening our monitoring and vigilance against additional launches, our military will share North Korean ballistic missile information with the U.S. and Japanese sides and maintain a full readiness posture," the JCS said in a text message sent to reporters.

The North disclosed its uranium-based nuclear facility on Friday, a day after its test-firing of a new 600 mm multiple rocket launcher. The latest bouts of its saber-rattling have added to cross-border tensions caused by the North's launches of trash-filled balloons to the South.

The series of Pyongyang's provocative acts came amid lingering concerns that the recalcitrant regime could engage in major provocations to bolster its leverage ahead of the Nov. 5 presidential election in the United States.

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