loading…
North Korea fired a ballistic missile on Monday (27/3/2023) after protesting the United States-South Korea joint war games. Photo/REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji
SEOUL – North Korea (North Korea) fired two ballistic missiles off its east coast Monday morning (27/3/2023). This latest missile maneuver occurred after Pyongyang protested the joint war games of the United States (US) and South Korea (South Korea).
Japan’s Coast Guard said two projectiles believed to be ballistic missiles fired by North Korea fell in waters that likely landed outside Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Japanese media, NHK, reported that the North Korean missile flew at an altitude of 50 km and traveled 350 km.
South Korea’s military said a North Korean ballistic missile was fired from North Hwanghae province at around 7:50 a.m. local time.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in a statement issued by his office, ordered officials to collect and analyze information on North Korea’s missile launches. He also ordered officials to ensure the safety of civilian aircraft and ships.
Today’s missile launch was the latest in a series of weapons tests by North Korea, including the firing of several cruise missiles on Wednesday that Pyongyang said were intended to train a tactical nuclear strike.
On Friday, North Korea said it had tested a new nuclear-capable underwater drone as its leader, Kim Jong-un, warned that joint war games by South Korea and the US must stop.
The US and South Korea have completed their joint war games; Freedom Shield 23, which started on March 13, 2023. But other military exercises continued, including an amphibious landing exercise involving a US amphibious assault ship.
Pyongyang has long been angry at the joint war games, saying they were preparations to invade North Korea.
But South Korea and the United States say their joint war games are defensive in nature.
(min)
