SEOUL, South Korea(AP) – North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into eastern waters on Thursday, South Korea’s military said. The missile test marks the resumption of North Korea’s weapons testing activities and is believed to be a direct response to recent live-fire drills conducted by South Korea and the United States. North Korea claims that these joint military exercises are offensive in nature.
It is North Korea’s first missile test since a failed attempt to launch a spy satellite into orbit in late May. The rocket launch was confirmed by South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, which announced the test from the capital region on Thursday night. In response, the South Korean military has stepped up surveillance efforts and is working closely with the United States to stay prepared. Japan’s Ministry of Defense also reported a possible ballistic missile test by North Korea. The country’s coast guard has warned ships patrolling the waters between the Korean Peninsula, Japan and the North Pacific Ocean to avoid anything falling ashore. Fortunately, no damage to the ship or aircraft has been reported so far.
The missile launch took place during the fifth large-scale live-fire exercise conducted by South Korean and US forces near South Korea’s heavily fortified border. About 30 minutes before the exercise began, the North Korean military announced an unspecified response, calling it “provocative and irresponsible.”
Tensions have been rising in recent months due to North Korea’s weapons tests and military exercises between the US and South Korea. Since early 2022, North Korea has conducted nearly 100 missile tests. Although their attempt to launch a spy satellite on May 31 failed, North Korea acknowledged the failure but vowed to make another attempt. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un aims to deploy advanced weapons systems, including spy satellites, to counter hostile actions by the United States.
According to Leif Eric Eisley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, today’s rocket launches are not simply an attempt to make up for past failures. Instead, they serve as a protest against South Korea’s joint defense exercises with the United States, which demonstrate North Korea’s military capabilities and preparations.
The recently concluded live-fire training exercise between South Korea and the United States was the largest of its kind since it began in 1977. About 610 military units participated in this year’s drills, including 25 from both South Korea and the United States.
South Korea’s defense ministry confirmed the participation of fighters, attack helicopters, tanks and drones from both countries. South Korean President Yoon Seok-yol and top military officials from both countries witnessed the exercise on Thursday. North Korean state media alleged that South Korea and the United States were engaged in intense targeting exercises to counter “military threats, intimidation and war tactics” against North Korea.
Top security officials from the US, South Korea and Japan met in Tokyo on Thursday for trilateral talks. South Korea’s presidential office announced that officials discussed increasing cooperation and coordinating efforts with the international community to counter North Korea’s nuclear and missile activities. US National Security Adviser Jack Sullivan reiterated US commitment to defend South Korea and Japan.
