Ballistic Missiles
On Wednesday, the South Korean military reported that North Korea, led by Kim Jong-un, had fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea. This occurred shortly after the United States deployed B-1B bombers for allied military exercises, escalating regional tensions as Washington assisted its allies in preparing to respond to potential aggression.
North Korea officially confirmed the launch of two short-range ballistic missiles, characterizing it as a “tactical nuclear strike drill,” according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
On Thursday, KCNA reported that Pyongyang had fired these missiles late on Wednesday as part of a “tactical nuclear strike drill simulating scorched-earth strikes at major command centers and operational airfields” across the border in South Korea.
The military reported that the missile unit launched two tactical ballistic missiles northeastward toward Pyongyang International Airport. They successfully carried out a nuclear strike mission by detonating the missiles at a predetermined altitude of 400 meters above the target island.
Drill Sends Clear Message to Enemies
In a statement, the nuclear-armed nation’s military declared, “The drill is aimed at sending a clear message to the enemies.”
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff noted, “Our military has heightened surveillance and vigilance in anticipation of further provocations and equally important in maintaining full readiness through close cooperation with the United States.”
These missile launches occurred just one day after South Korea and the United States concluded their 11-day military exercises, which had drawn criticism from North Korea.
United Nations Security Council resolutions have explicitly prohibited North Korea from conducting ballistic missile launches and moreover it has imposed stringent sanctions on the Kim Jong-un-led country.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby stated on Wednesday, “The US is concerned that arms negotiations between Russia and North Korea are actively progressing, and any arms deal would violate sanctions.” Lastly, Kirby also mentioned that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had recently visited North Korea to attempt to persuade Pyongyang to sell artillery ammunition to Russia.
