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

North Korea launched approximately 10 ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Saturday, marking its third such launch this year. The launch coincided with the ongoing Freedom Shield military exercise conducted by South Korea and the United States. Kim Yo-jong, sister of leader Kim Jong-un, had previously condemned the drills and warned of severe consequences. The missiles flew an estimated 350 kilometers, with South Korean and US forces monitoring the situation under a combined defense posture.

Key Points: North Korea Launches Ballistic Missiles During US-SK Drills

  • 10 ballistic missiles launched
  • Third launch this year
  • Response to US-South Korea drills
  • Kim Yo-jong warned of consequences
  • Missiles flew 350 km
2 min read

North Korea fires ballistic missiles as South Korea, US conduct joint drills

North Korea fires 10 ballistic missiles toward East Sea as South Korea and US conduct Freedom Shield military exercise, escalating tensions.

"unimaginably terrible consequences - Kim Yo-jong"

Seoul, March 14

North Korea fired about 10 ballistic missiles toward the East Sea Saturday, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, in an apparent muscle-flexing as South Korea and the United States were conducting their key springtime military exercise.

The JCS said it detected the missiles launched from the Sunan area in the North at around 1:20 p.m. It marked the North's third ballistic missile launch this year.

The missiles flew about 350 kilometres, the JCS said, adding that further analysis is underway, reports Yonhap news agency.

"Under a robust South Korea-US combined defence posture, our military is closely monitoring North Korea's various movements, and maintains capabilities and a posture that can overwhelmingly respond to any provocation," it added.

The latest launch came as South Korea and the United States kicked off their annual Freedom Shield exercise Monday for an 11-day run.

The North has long denounced the allies' combined military drills as a rehearsal for an invasion, though Seoul and Washington have said the exercises are purely defensive.

Earlier this week, Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, condemned the ongoing military drills and warned of "unimaginably terrible consequences."

The North also recently test-fired strategic cruise missiles from the Choe Hyon destroyer, with the North Korean leader underscoring the need to maintain and expand a "powerful and reliable nuclear war deterrent," according to Pyongyang's state media.

The North's latest missile launch also came after Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said that US President Donald Trump remained positive about the resumption of dialogue with the North Korean leader while leaving open its timing.

The prime minister's remarks came amid speculation that Trump could seek a meeting with Kim during his upcoming trip to China for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump reportedly plans to travel to China from late March to early April.

North Korea last fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on January 27, which it said was aimed at testing a renewed large-calibre multiple rocket launcher system.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priyanka N
The joint drills by South Korea and the US are clearly a trigger. North Korea sees them as a threat. It's a classic security dilemma. As an Indian, I understand the need for defensive exercises, but they must be conducted with extreme caution to not escalate tensions. 🤔
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Aman W
Frankly, this feels like a distraction tactic. Kim Jong-un's regime does this whenever they want something or when internal pressure builds. The world shouldn't overreact to every missile test. Focus should be on the humanitarian situation there, which is truly tragic.
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Sarah B
Living in India, where we have our own complex neighbours, I can see parallels. Provocative actions rarely lead to good outcomes. Dialogue is the only way forward, but it requires both sides to show restraint. The mention of Trump possibly meeting Kim again is interesting, but will it lead anywhere substantial?
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Vikram M
"Unimaginably terrible consequences" – such language is meant to scare. But after so many years, it's starting to sound like a broken record. The real victims are the North Korean people, who suffer under this regime while their leaders play with expensive missiles. Very sad state of affairs.
K
Karthik V
From a strategic perspective, this is a calculated move. The timing with the US-SK drills and the potential Trump-Xi meeting is not coincidental. They want to be at the top of the agenda. It's a dangerous way to get attention, but it often works. Hope cooler heads in the region can de-escalate.

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