(3rd LD) N. Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles in back-to-back launch | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK (ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; ADDS details) By Lee Minji SEOUL, April 8 (Yonhap) -- North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Wednesday, South Korea's military said, in a back-to-back launch that came after President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret over drone flights by individuals into the North. Still, she warned Seoul "should stop any reckless provocation" against Pyongyang and "refrain from any attempt at contact, instead of paying lip service to the utmost importance of peace and security." The North last fired multiple ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on March 14 as annual springtime military drills by South Korea and the United States were under way. Korea is 'clear warning' (LEAD) Lee's voicing regret over drone flights into N. Korean leader calls Lee 'frank, broad-minded' for his regret over drone incident (LEAD) Lee expresses regret over drone flights by individuals into N.

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OK
(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; ADDS details)
By Lee Minji
SEOUL, April 8 (Yonhap) -- North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Wednesday, South Korea's military said, in a back-to-back launch that came after President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret over drone flights by individuals into the North.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the missiles launched from the Wonsan area in the North at around 8:50 a.m. They flew some 240 kilometers. It marked the North's fourth confirmed ballistic missile launch this year.
"Our military is closely monitoring North Korea's various movements under a robust South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture and maintains the capabilities and posture to respond to any provocation in an overwhelming manner," the JCS said.
South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities have tracked the launch movement and closely shared relevant information, it added.
The launch came just a day after the North fired an unidentified projectile from the Pyongyang area Tuesday, which is currently pending analysis by South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities.
The projectile, believed to have been launched Tuesday morning, disappeared shortly after it was fired in an apparent failure.
North Korea carries out a firepower strike drill involving 600 mm ultra-precision multiple rocket launchers on March 14, 2026, in this photo published by the Korean Central News Agency the following day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
The back-to-back launches came after President Lee expressed regret over drone flights by individuals into the North on Monday.
At a Cabinet meeting, Lee expressed regret over the drone flights, saying that the incidents have caused unnecessary military tension with Pyongyang. His remarks came after prosecutors last week indicted three individuals accused of flying drones into North Korea between September and January.
Hours after Lee's remarks, Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of the North's leader Kim Jong-un, issued a statement that said North Korea's head of state assessed Lee as having a "frank and broad-minded" attitude.
Still, she warned Seoul "should stop any reckless provocation" against Pyongyang and "refrain from any attempt at contact, instead of paying lip service to the utmost importance of peace and security."
The North last fired multiple ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on March 14 as annual springtime military drills by South Korea and the United States were under way. State media reported the following day the North conducted a firepower strike drill involving 600-millimeter ultra-precision multiple rocket launchers.
Pyongyang has yet to release any report on both launches.
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)
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(3rd LD) N. Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles in back-to-back launch

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- It marked the North's fourth confirmed ballistic missile launch this year. "Our military is closely monitoring North Korea's various movements under a robust South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture and maintains the capabilities and posture to respond to any provocation in an overwhelming manner," the JCS said.

### Areas for Consideration
- The projectile, believed to have been launched Tuesday morning, disappeared shortly after it was fired in an apparent failure.
- Korea Keywords #N Korea #missile launch Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (LEAD) BTS tops Billboard albums chart for 2nd week with 'Arirang,' a first in K-pop BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho (3rd LD) Lee says S.

### Implications
- OK (ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; ADDS details) By Lee Minji SEOUL, April 8 (Yonhap) -- North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Wednesday, South Korea's military said, in a back-to-back launch that came after President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret over drone flights by individuals into the North.
- Still, she warned Seoul "should stop any reckless provocation" against Pyongyang and "refrain from any attempt at contact, instead of paying lip service to the utmost importance of peace and security." The North last fired multiple ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on March 14 as annual springtime military drills by South Korea and the United States were under way.
- Korea is 'clear warning' (LEAD) Lee's voicing regret over drone flights into N.
- Korea shows his willingness to restore trust: top aide (LEAD) Kim Yo-jong says N.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers korea, north, lee topics. Notable strengths include discussion of korea. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 747.