North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward the sea, says South Korea
text_fields
The South Korean military on Thursday said that North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the East Sea. It is one of the banned weapons being tested by Pyongyang.
"North Korea fired an unidentified ballistic missile into the East Sea," said Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Japan also confirmed the launch and Tokyo's defence ministry said Pyongyang had "launched a possible ballistic missile". The island nation's coastguard urged vessels to be vigilant and stay away from any fallen objects. The East Sea is also known as the Sea of Japan.
This comes a day after Seoul filed a lawsuit seeking damages from North Korea for the 2020 demolition of a liaison office. "Given the timing, the launch seems like the North's expression of discontent or protest at Seoul's legal action seeking compensation for the North's demolition of the Kaesong office," said Choi Gil-il, professor of military studies at Sangji University to AFP.
Amidst strained relations and diplomatic impasse, the two Koreas are at one of their most contentious junctures in recent years.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has asserted his country's irreversible nuclear status and called for intensified weapons production, including tactical nuclear weapons, exacerbating tensions further. He also asked his army to be ready for war. North Korea has conducted several launches this year in violation of sanctions, including testing its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missiles. Pyongyang also attempted to deploy a military spy satellite into orbit last month.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol responded by strengthening defence cooperation with the United States. This includes conducting regular large-scale joint military drills, such as the ongoing live-fire "annihilation" exercises.
This further provoked Pyongyang, which views them as rehearsals for invasion. In a statement issued by the North's Ministry of National Defense, they condemned the ongoing drills, accusing them of specifically targeting North Korea with a massive mobilisation of offensive weapons and equipment. The North Korean spokesperson stated, "Our armed forces will respond accordingly to any provocative actions or displays of force by our enemies." The statement, conveyed by the official Korean Central News Agency, underscores the North's determination to counter any perceived threats and provocations.