North Korea fires a ballistic missile as South Korea and US wrap up exercise
The Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea stated in a statement that the missile went toward the eastern waters of North Korea but did not provide any other information, such as how far the missile travelled.
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On Friday, as South Korea’s rival was wrapping up an annual military exercise that the North perceives as an invasion rehearsal, North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward the sea, according to officials in Seoul.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea stated in a statement that the missile went toward the eastern waters of North Korea but did not provide any other information, such as how far the missile travelled.
The launch, which was the most recent in a string of recent nuclear tests by North Korea, occurred on the last day of South Korea’s annual 12-day “Hoguk” field exercises, which this year also included an unknown number of US troops.
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The US and South Korean air forces intend to conduct a major training exercise the following week. Although Seoul and Washington claim their exercises are defensive in intent, North Korea views their regular drills as preparation for an offensive.
The opposing Koreas traded warning shots along their disputed western maritime boundary, the scene of previous bloodshed and naval confrontations, four days prior to Friday’s launch.
The launch occurred just after U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman warned about North Korea’s increasing provocations during a trip to Tokyo this week and reaffirmed that the U.S. would use all of its military resources, “including nuclear,” to defend its allies Japan and South Korea.
Additionally, there are worries that the North may step up the ante by executing its first nuclear test since 2017 in the upcoming weeks.
“A new nuclear test explosion by North Korea would be yet another confirmation of a program which is moving full steam ahead in a way that is incredibly concerning.” said Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, on Thursday.
He said that the UN agency had been watching the North’s preparations for a new test, which would be its seventh overall, but he made no mention of whether an atomic explosion was close at hand.
