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North Korea Fires 10 Ballistic Missiles Amid US-South Korea Drills

North Korea launched approximately 10 ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Saturday, marking its third such test this year. The launch coincides with the ongoing Freedom Shield joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States. North Korean officials, including Kim Yo-jong, have condemned the drills, warning of severe consequences. Meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un continues to emphasize the expansion of the country's nuclear deterrent capabilities.

Key Points: North Korea Launches 10 Ballistic Missiles Toward East Sea

  • 10 ballistic missiles launched
  • Third such test this year
  • Response to US-South Korea drills
  • Kim Yo-jong warned of consequences
  • Kim Jong-un emphasizes nuclear deterrent
2 min read

North Korea fires 10 ballistic missiles toward East Sea amid South Korea-US drills

North Korea fires 10 ballistic missiles as South Korea and US conduct joint military drills, escalating regional tensions.

"Our military maintains a firm readiness posture... - South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff"

Seoul, March 14

North Korea on Saturday launched around 10 ballistic missiles toward the East Sea or the Sea of Japan, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the missiles were detected at around 1:20 pm (local time) after being launched from the Sunan area in North Korea. The launch marked Pyongyang's third ballistic missile test this year.

"Our military maintains a firm readiness posture while closely sharing North Korean ballistic missile information with the US and Japanese sides amid a heightened surveillance posture against additional launches," the JCS said, as quoted by Yonhap News Agency.

The launch came as South Korea and the United States are conducting their annual joint military exercise, Freedom Shield, which began earlier this week and is scheduled to run for 11 days.

North Korea has repeatedly criticised such joint drills, describing them as rehearsals for an invasion.

However, Seoul and Washington have maintained that the exercises are defensive in nature.

Earlier this week, Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, condemned the drills and warned of "unimaginably terrible consequences", Yonhap News Agency reported.

The development also comes after North Korea recently test-fired strategic cruise missiles from the Choe Hyon destroyer, with leader Kim Jong-un emphasising the need to maintain and expand a "powerful and reliable nuclear war deterrent", according to the North Korean state media.

Meanwhile, South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok recently said that US President Donald Trump remained positive about resuming dialogue with Kim Jong-un, though the timing of such talks remains uncertain, according to Yonhap News Agency.

The remarks came amid speculation that Trump could seek a meeting with the North Korean leader during a planned visit to China for a summit with Xi Jinping in early April.

North Korea last conducted a similar launch on January 27, when it fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, which it said were part of tests for a renewed large-calibre multiple rocket launcher system.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
Watching this from India, it's a stark reminder of how fragile peace can be. We have our own challenges with neighbours. The world needs diplomacy, not more missile tests. The US and South Korea must handle this very carefully.
A
Aman W
Ten missiles! That's a serious provocation. Kim Jong-un is testing boundaries while the world is distracted. The joint exercises might be necessary, but they clearly escalate tensions. Is there no other way?
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Sarah B
The article mentions Trump might meet Kim again. Honestly, what did the last summits achieve? It feels like a cycle of talks, then tests, then more talks. The people of North Korea suffer the most in this stalemate.
V
Vikram M
It's the same old story. Joint drills happen, North Korea protests with a launch. The world condemns it. Then we wait for the next cycle. The strategic calculus in that region is so complex. Hope India's diplomacy in engaging all sides can be a model.
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Kiran H
Respectfully, I think the article and the South Korean/US stance overlook the North's perspective. If a powerful military alliance is conducting drills near your border every year, wouldn't you feel threatened? The solution has to address security concerns on BOTH sides.

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