ROK JCS Says North Korean Test Was “Projectiles” and Not Missiles

After being called a missile test, the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff is now saying it appears the North Koreans fired off “projectiles” that were probably from a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS):

North Korea fired a barrage of unidentified short-range projectiles into the East Sea on Saturday, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, in apparent saber-rattling amid stalled nuclear talks with the United States.
The JCS had earlier said the North fired multiple short-range “missiles” but later revised the announcement to portray what were fired only as “projectiles.” The projectiles were fired from areas near the east coast town of Wonsan between 9:06 a.m. and 9:27 a.m., the JCS said.
The change suggests the firings could have involved multiple rocket launchers, not missiles. 
“What the North fired this time is not a ballistic missile,” a military officer said.
The projectiles flew about 70 kilometers to 200 kilometers, the JCS said, adding that South Korean and U.S. authorities are analyzing details of the projectiles and the intention behind the firings.
“Our military has been closely watching North Korea’s movements and has maintained a full-fledged posture in close coordination with the U.S.,” the JCS said.
Last month, North Korea test-fired what it called “the new tactical guided weapon,” which, according to Seoul authorities, appeared to be a guided weapon for ground combat.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link, but what is interesting about this test is that it was fired out of Wonsan which happens to be an area that Kim Jong-un wants developed into an international tourism area. Conducting military provocations out of Wonsan does not help create an image of international tourism for Wonsan, which makes me wonder if the Kim regime is cooling on this idea?

If this was an MLRS test, it was likely their new KN-09 system. The KN-09 has a range of 190 kilometers which means from frontline positions North Korea can target the US military’s main bases in Korea, Osan Airbase and Camp Humphreys. This test firing is likely a reminder to the Trump administration of the artillery capability the North Koreans possess to target US troops in South Korea in hopes of pressuring them to agree to the “pretend denuclearization” deal they want.