1 week ago
North Korea Missile Launches Trigger Alerts Amid US-South Korea Drills
North Korea fired more than 10 missiles toward the sea on Thursday.
The missiles traveled about 300 kilometers.
South Korea and the United States were holding military exercises at the time.
South Korea called an emergency meeting and told its military to stay ready.
Japan also sent an emergency alert about a suspected missile.
Japan said the projectile landed in the sea outside its exclusive economic zone.
North Korea says the military exercises are a serious threat and preparation for an invasion.
South Korea says the launches break United Nations rules, while the United States and South Korea continue to monitor the situation.
North Korea launched more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan on Thursday.
South Korea said the missiles traveled about 300 kilometers from the Pyongyang area toward waters east of the peninsula.
South Korea held an emergency security meeting and ordered its military to maintain strong readiness.
Japan issued an emergency alert, while its coast guard said the projectile fell outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
The launches occurred during US-South Korean military exercises that North Korea condemns as invasion preparations.
- Who
- North Korea launched the missiles; South Korea, the United States and Japan responded.
- What
- More than 10 short-range ballistic missiles were fired toward the Sea of Japan.
- Where
- The missiles were launched from the Pyongyang area toward waters east of the Korean Peninsula.
- When
- Thursday, during the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises; the drills began on August 17 and were scheduled to end on Friday.
- Why
- North Korea opposes the US-South Korean military exercises and has criticized what it calls hostile policies toward Pyongyang.
North Korea’s position
South Korea and its partners’ position
Military exercises
North Korea’s position
North Korea describes the US-South Korean exercises as the most immediate and open threat to its security and says they amount to preparations for an invasion.
South Korea and its partners’ position
South Korea and the United States conducted the annual exercises, while South Korea ordered its military to maintain a strong readiness posture after the launches.
Missile launches
North Korea’s position
The launches followed criticism by Kim Yo Jong of the exercises and appeared to signal North Korea’s opposition to them and to policies concerning its nuclear program.
South Korea and its partners’ position
South Korea called the launches a serious violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and urged North Korea to stop such actions.
Regional tensions
North Korea’s position
North Korea’s actions also warned Washington, Seoul and other countries against making assumptions about its security policies, according to the report.
South Korea and its partners’ position
Japan issued an emergency alert, and South Korea and Japan assessed the security implications of the launches.
Key facts
- Missiles launched
- More than 10 short-range ballistic missiles
- Approximate range
- About 300 kilometers
- Launch area
- The Pyongyang area
- Destination
- Waters east of the Korean Peninsula, toward the Sea of Japan
- South Korean response
- An emergency security meeting and an order for strong military readiness
- Japanese response
- An emergency alert; the coast guard said the projectile landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone
- Military exercises
- Ulchi Freedom Shield, involving South Korea and the United States
Sources
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