North Korea launches missiles into sea after drills by US bomber plane

North Korea fired at the least two short-range ballistic missiles into the ocean on Wednesday, South Korea’s navy stated, hours after the US individually deployed B-1B bombers for allied air drills.

Japan’s defence ministry additionally reported that at the least one suspected ballistic missile was launched, whereas Japanese media reported that two missiles have been fired and landed outdoors Japan’s unique financial zone (EEZ).

“Our military has strengthened surveillance and vigilance in preparation for additional provocations, and is maintaining full readiness through close cooperation between Korea and the United States,” South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff stated in an announcement.

The launch comes a day earlier than South Korea and the US wrap up 11 days of mixed navy drills, which Pyongyang has denounced.

The B-1B bombers performed separate air drills with warplanes from South Korea and Japan earlier on Wednesday.

North Korea’s ballistic missiles are banned by United Nations Security Council resolutions which have imposed strict sanctions on the nuclear-armed nation.

The US is anxious that arms negotiations between Russia and North Korea are actively advancing, White House nationwide safety spokesperson John Kirby informed a briefing on Wednesday, noting that any arms deal would violate sanctions.

Kirby stated Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu had lately travelled to North Korea to attempt to persuade Pyongyang to promote artillery ammunition to Russia.

The US and South Korean militaries wish to extra intently combine their programs for monitoring North Korean missile launches, an effort that will quickly embody extra cooperation with Japan as nicely, US Space Force officers stated on Wednesday.

US President Joe Biden agreed with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at an August 18 summit that by the top of this 12 months the three nations would share North Korea missile warning knowledge in actual time.

Published On:

Aug 30, 2023