North Korea has launched several short-range ballistic missiles towards the sea in what is being viewed as a direct warning to Donald Trump , following the conclusion of military exercises
North Korea has fired several ‘short-range ballistic missiles’ towards the sea shortly after the United States concluded its military exercise with its southern ally.
This follows a day after the United States, South Korea and Japan wrapped up their trilateral military drill – something North Korea regards as a provocation.
The North Korean ballistic missile launch, the first in roughly three weeks, occurred as the nation was maintaining its weapons demonstration and apparently showing off its military strength.
The move comes after US President Donald Trump’s decision to reduce a major bilateral military exercise with South Korea as a goodwill gesture.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said it spotted the launches of several missiles from North Korea’s eastern coastal Wonsan region.
It said the missiles travelled approximately 250 kilometres (155 miles) each towards North Korea’s eastern waters. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said it has enhanced its surveillance stance and was closely sharing intelligence on the launches with the US and Japan.
South Korea’s presidential national security council released a statement calling on North Korea to stop ballistic missile firings that breach U.N. Security Council resolutions.
The US Pacific Command said the North’s launch didn’t present an immediate danger to US territory or to its allies. On Friday, the US, South Korea and Japan concluded their five-day Freedom Edge exercise as planned.
The US Pacific Command said the militaries of the three nations “trained side by side across air, sea and cyber domains, sharpening the interoperability that keeps the region secure.”
It referenced maritime operations, air refuelling, cyber coordination and medical exercises.
North Korea launches missiles towards the sea last month, in another move seen as a direct message to Donald Trump and the US regarding its relationship with its southern neighbour.
US Pacific Command said in a statement posted on X: “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 US homeland and our allies in the region.”