Pyongyang. Amid the ongoing military conflict in the Middle East, North Korea has once again shocked the world. It has created a sensation by firing more than 10 ballistic missiles towards the East Sea. According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), these missiles were launched from the Sunan area of the capital Pyongyang at around 1:20 pm on Saturday. Japanese media outlet NHK has also confirmed quoting the Defense Ministry that these missiles have fallen into the sea. This is North Korea’s third major missile test this year.
This launch is particularly significant because it comes just a day after a surprise meeting between US President Donald Trump and South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok at the White House. During the meeting, Trump cited his good relationship with Kim Jong-un and expressed a desire for dialogue. He asked whether Kim Jong-un wanted to talk to the US or him.
North Korea responded to this diplomatic opening with a barrage of missiles within 24 hours, indicating that it is not in the mood for talks right now. Experts believe that this missile launch is a sharp reaction against the South Korea-US joint military exercise Freedom Shield which began on March 9. Although the scale of the military exercise has been halved this year compared to last year, North Korea is calling it a rehearsal for an invasion of the North. The very next day after the training began, the North Korean leader’s sister Kim Yo-jong warned that military provocation by enemy forces could have unimaginable and catastrophic consequences.
Regional Security and Preparedness
(JCS) said it is increasing surveillance and vigilance in preparation for additional launches. Information is being shared in real time with the US and Japan. This launch comes 47 days after the previous test. During the previous test in January, US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby was on a visit to Asia.
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