SEOUL: South Korean military said North Korea launched multiple cruise missiles off its east coast on Wednesday, the latest in a series of weapons tests as South Korean and US forces perform joint military drills.
The missiles were launched from the North’s South Hamgyong region around 10:15 a.m. (0115 GMT), according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). It wasn’t immediately clear how many projectiles were fired or what kind they were. According to the JCS, the military was on high alert, and South Korean and US officials were examining the missiles’ specifications.
South Kora said that they will complete their Freedom Shield exercise as planned under a robust joint defense posture. The allies will end 11 days of exercises known as “Freedom Shield 23” on Thursday. The recent launches come only three days after North Korea sent a short-range ballistic missile into the sea off its east coast. North Korea has long objected to exercises conducted by the South Korean and US military, claiming that they are preparing for an invasion.
North Korean aggression
South Korea and the United States deny this, claiming they must prepare to defend against North Korean aggression. According to the Yonhap news agency in South Korea, the launches on Wednesday could have involved the North’s strategic cruise missiles. The term “strategic” is commonly used to describe nuclear-capable weapons. North Korea’s last known firing of strategic cruise missiles occurred on March 12, when it claimed to have launched two from a submarine.
North Korea has increased its military exercises recently, firing an intercontinental ballistic missile last week.
