In a significant military move, North Korea launched over ten ballistic missiles into the sea on Saturday, according to South Korea’s military. This action coincides with ongoing joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea.
The South Korean military confirmed that the missiles were directed towards the sea off North Korea’s eastern coast, as conveyed in a succinct update to the media.
Subsequent reports from South Korea’s military indicated that the number of missiles launched was around ten.
Meanwhile, Japan’s coast guard detected an object, likely a ballistic missile, which seemed to have landed in the sea.
Japan’s public broadcaster NHK, referencing sources from the defense ministry, reported that the missile appeared to have landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
The missile launches come shortly after Seoul and Washington initiated major military exercises five days prior. These drills, described as purely defensive by the allies, are intended to assess their readiness in response to potential military threats from North Korea.
Nuclear-armed North Korea frequently displays its anger and objections to such exercises, saying they are “dress rehearsals” for armed aggression against it by the allies.
On Thursday, South Korea’s prime minister met US President Donald Trump in Washington to discuss ways to reopen dialogue with the North, which has been suspended since 2019.
— With additional reporting from Reuters
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