Share this @internewscast.com

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters Monday morning, its neighbors said, days after the end of U.S.-South Korean military drills that the North views as an invasion rehearsal.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told a parliamentary session that North Korea fired “a number of” ballistic missiles into the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. He said the missiles fell outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone and no damage or injuries had been reported.

Kishida denounced North Korea’s repeated ballistic missile tests as acts “that threaten the peace and safety of Japan, the region and the international society.” He said Japan strongly protested against North Korea over its testing activities, saying they violated U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban the North from engaging in any ballistic activities.

South Korea’s military said it also detected “several” suspected short-range ballistic launches by North Korea on Monday morning. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the South Korean military bolstered its surveillance posture and is closely coordinating with the United States and Japan.

Monday’s launches were the North’s first known missile testing activities since it carried out cruise missile launches in mid-February.

During the U.S.-South Korea military drills that ended Thursday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un guided a series of military training exercises involving tanks, artillery guns and paratroopers. But the North did not perform any missile tests during its rivals’ training.

The 11-day U.S.-South Korean drills involved a computer-simulated command post training and 48 kinds of field exercises, twice the number conducted last year.

Animosities on the Korean Peninsula remain high in the wake of North Korea’s barrage of missile tests since 2022. Many of the tests involved nuclear-capable missiles designed to attack South Korea and the mainland U.S. The U.S. and South Korean forces have responded by expanding their training exercises.

This year, North Korea performed six rounds of missile tests before Monday’s launch.

Experts say North Korea most likely believes a bigger weapons arsenal would increase its leverage in future diplomacy with the United States. They say North Korea would want to win extensive sanctions relief while maintaining its nuclear weapons.

Worries about North Korean military moves have deepened since Kim vowed in a speech in January to rewrite the constitution to eliminate the country’s long-standing goal of seeking peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula and to cement South Korea as its “invariable principal enemy.” He said the new charter must specify North Korea would annex and subjugate the South if another war broke out.

Observers say North Korea may launch limited provocations along its tense border with South Korea. But they say the prospects for a full-scale attack by North Korea are dim as it would know its military is outmatched by the U.S. and South Korean forces.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Hamas 'serious' about reaching ceasefire agreement but insists on long-standing demands

Hamas Committed to Ceasefire Deal While Upholding Key Demands

Hamas announced on Wednesday its willingness to agree to a ceasefire with…
Is Target open on the 4th of July? Costco? Starbucks?

Target, Costco, and Starbucks: Independence Day Hours and Closures

Although some stores might have shortened hours, there are still opportunities for…
Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy's Fundraising Email Will Crack You Up—Mamdani 'Like Karl Marx at a Drag Show'

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy’s Hilarious Fundraising Email Describes Mamdani ‘as if Karl Marx Attended a Drag Show’

🩻🇺🇸 JOHN KENNEDY TO BIDEN: “Go to Amazon and buy a spine…
Dalai Lama lays out succession plan, pledging reincarnation as China eyes interference

Dalai Lama Reveals Future Succession Strategy Amidst China’s Intent to Intervene

Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has declared that the long-standing institution…
Iran to suspend work with UN nuclear watchdog, president says

Iran to Halt Collaboration with UN Nuclear Agency, President Announces

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has signed into law a bill passed by…
Israel releases conversations with Gaza residents amid criticisms of aid delivery system

Israel Publishes Conversations with Gaza Residents Amid Controversies Over Aid Delivery System

Israel’s Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), responsible for overseeing…
Twenty dead bodies discovered in Mexico, including corpses hanging from bridge

Twenty Bodies Found in Mexico, Some Suspended from Bridge

Mexican authorities said 20 dead bodies, including five decapitated corpses, were discovered…
'Sinners' on HBO Max, 'Heads of State' on Prime + More

“‘Sinners’ Now Streaming on HBO Max, ‘Heads of State’ Debuts on Prime Video & More”

This weekend’s new releases on streaming platforms feature some fantastic summer movies…
Fireworks igniting a house fire.

Massive Fireworks Blast Ignites Four Houses with Sparks Raining Down, Leaving Woman Critically Injured

DRAMATIC footage shows fireworks exploding in a neighborhood on the eve of…
Robots are taking over Uber Eats deliveries. Is your city next?

Robots are starting to handle Uber Eats deliveries. Will they be coming to your city soon?

If you’ve ordered food on Uber Eats recently, you may have seen…
Mets reach deal with reliever Zach Pop to boost bullpen depth

Mets sign reliever Zach Pop to strengthen bullpen depth

The Mets added some bullpen depth through free agency. Veteran pitcher Zach…
Small nervous dog afraid of loud Fourth of July fireworks display

Every Dog Enjoys Its Moment, But It Isn’t on the Fourth of July

(The Conversation) – The Fourth of July can be a miserable day…