North Korea fired several ballistic missiles on Saturday as the United States and South Korea carried out large joint military exercises, raising tensions again on the Korean Peninsula. (Reuters)
According to South Korea’s military, around 10 missiles were launched toward the sea off North Korea’s east coast. The launches were detected near the Sunan area close to Pyongyang, and the missiles reportedly flew hundreds of kilometres before landing in waters outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone. (Daily Sabah)
Launches during joint military drills
The missile tests happened while the United States and South Korea were conducting their annual joint military exercises, known as Freedom Shield. These drills involve thousands of troops and are meant to test the allies’ readiness against potential threats from North Korea. (India Today)
Washington and Seoul say the exercises are defensive. However, North Korea has long criticized such drills, calling them rehearsals for an invasion. In the past, Pyongyang has often responded to these exercises with missile tests or other military demonstrations. (Punch Newspapers)
Regional response
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the military increased surveillance and remains on high alert for additional launches. Officials are also sharing information with the United States and Japan to monitor the situation closely. (India Today)
Japanese authorities confirmed that the missiles did not land inside the country’s exclusive economic zone, but they continued to track the launches and monitor potential risks. (India Today)
Rising tensions
North Korea has been under United Nations sanctions since 2006 because of its nuclear weapons and missile programs. Despite international pressure, the country continues to test missiles, saying it needs strong military capabilities for its security. (The Guardian)
The latest launches highlight the ongoing tensions between North Korea and its neighbours, especially during periods when the United States and South Korea conduct large military exercises. (Reuters)