The DPRK launched two ballistic missiles after the nuclear-armed US nuclear submarine USS Kentucky visited the Republic of Korea for the first time since 1981

The DPRK once again carried out ballistic missile launches. This was in response to the arrival in the Republic of Korea of an American Ohio-class nuclear submarine with nuclear weapons.

Here's What We Know

The day before, the White House officially announced that the Ohio-class submarine visited the Republic of Korea for the first time since 1981, docking in Busan. Later we learnt that the USS Kentucky (SSBN-737) was receiving the right to make the historic visit.

The Ohio-class strategic missile cruiser is a carrier of Trident II (D5) intercontinental ballistic missiles. Each of the 20 missiles has a maximum launch range of 7,500 kilometres to more than 12,000 kilometres, depending on the number of nuclear warheads (up to eight).

After the arrival of the submarine, North Korea launched ballistic missiles. This was reported by the Japanese Prime Minister and US officials. In both cases, we are talking about short-range ballistic missiles.

This comes days after a Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile was launched towards Japan. At an altitude of 6648.4 kilometres in 4491 seconds, it travelled about 1,000 kilometres with a maximum range of more than 15,000 kilometres and fell into the sea between Japan and the Korean Peninsula.

Source: ABC