North Korea fires 10 ballistic missiles amid US-South Korea drills
What's the story
North Korea launched around 10 ballistic missiles into the eastern sea on Saturday, South Korea's military reported. The launches were carried out as South Korea and the United States held their annual joint military exercises. The missiles were fired from near Pyongyang, but details about their range are yet to be disclosed, AP reported. Japan's Defense Ministry confirmed that the missiles landed outside its exclusive economic zone.
Escalating tensions
North Korea's recent provocations
The missile launches are part of a series of provocations by North Korea, which has been testing new weapons systems in recent weeks. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said they have heightened surveillance and readiness against possible further launches. The joint military exercises between the US and South Korea involve thousands of troops and will continue despite North Korea's threats.
Diplomatic tensions
North Korea condemns US-Israel attacks on Iran
North Korea's Foreign Ministry has also issued statements condemning the joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran and supporting Tehran's new supreme leader. Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, slammed Washington and Seoul for continuing their drills at a dangerous time for global security. She warned that any threat to North Korea's safety would lead to "terrible consequences."
Military posture
North Korea's response to US-South Korea drills in the past
North Korea has long viewed the US-South Korea drills as invasion rehearsals and often uses them as a pretext for its own military demonstrations. In previous years, North Korea has conducted missile launches or artillery exercises simulating nuclear attacks on South Korean targets. The ongoing Freedom Shield exercise will run until March 19 and is one of two annual command post exercises conducted by the US and South Korean militaries.