1 hr ago
North Korea Fires Missile After Allied Military Drills
North Korea launched an object toward the sea near Japan.
South Korea said it traveled about 250 kilometers.
The launch happened soon after military exercises involving South Korea, the United States and Japan.
Those exercises focused on North Korea.
North Korea had criticized the exercises and called them a threat.
South Korea said the launch violated United Nations rules.
South Korea also said it was ready to respond to provocations.
The United States said the launch did not create an immediate danger to its people, land or allies.
The countries are continuing to watch North Korea closely.
North Korea launched an unidentified projectile toward the Sea of Japan on Saturday, according to South Korea’s Defense Ministry.
South Korea said the launch occurred around 5:20 a.m. local time and traveled about 250 kilometers.
The launch came one day after five days of Freedom Edge maritime drills involving South Korea, the United States and Japan.
South Korea called the launch a serious violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and urged North Korea to stop ballistic missile launches.
The United States said its assessment found no immediate threat to its personnel, territory or allies, while maintaining its regional defense commitment.
- Who
- North Korea launched the projectile; South Korea, the United States and Japan had conducted the preceding drills.
- What
- An unidentified projectile was launched toward the Sea of Japan; South Korea described it as a ballistic missile launch.
- Where
- The launch was detected from North Korea and flew toward the Sea of Japan, also called the East Sea in Korea.
- When
- Saturday, September 12, around 5:20 a.m.; the launch occurred one day after the drills concluded.
- Why
- North Korea had condemned the Freedom Edge exercises as a threat, while South Korea said the launch violated United Nations Security Council resolutions.
North Korea’s Position
South Korea, United States and Japan’s Position
Meaning of the military drills
North Korea’s Position
North Korea called the Freedom Edge exercises a threat to Pyongyang and other countries in the region and warned of strong countermeasures.
South Korea, United States and Japan’s Position
South Korea, the United States and Japan conducted the exercises as joint maritime drills focused on North Korea.
Meaning of the launch
North Korea’s Position
North Korea carried out the launch after warning that it could respond to the exercises from a position of strength.
South Korea, United States and Japan’s Position
South Korea called the launch a serious violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and urged North Korea to stop ballistic missile launches.
Immediate danger
North Korea’s Position
North Korea’s stated response involved launching an unidentified projectile toward the Sea of Japan.
South Korea, United States and Japan’s Position
The United States said its current assessment found no immediate threat to its personnel, territory or allies, while South Korea maintained that it was prepared to respond to provocations.
Key facts
- Launch distance
- About 250 kilometers (155 miles), according to South Korea.
- Launch direction
- Toward the Sea of Japan, called the East Sea in Korea.
- Detection time
- Around 5:20 a.m. on Saturday, September 12.
- Preceding drills
- Five days of joint maritime exercises called Freedom Edge.
- Participating countries
- South Korea, the United States and Japan.
- South Korean response
- An emergency security review meeting was convened, and the military said it was maintaining readiness.
- United States assessment
- The launch did not pose an immediate threat to United States personnel, territory or allies.
Quotes
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff
South Korea’s military command authority
“We are aware of the recent missile launch and are consulting closely with our allies and partners. Based on current assessments, this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies. The United States remains committed to the defense of the U.S. homeland and our allies in the region.”
wionews.com
“South Korea's military is closely monitoring North Korean activity and maintaining the capability and readiness to respond overwhelmingly to any provocation under its combined defence posture with the United States.”
wionews.com
Sources
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