North Korea Launches More Than 10 Ballistic Missiles During U.S.-South Korea Drills
North Korea fired more than 10 ballistic missiles into the sea on Saturday, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, as joint military exercises involving the United States and South Korea continued in the region.
The missiles were launched from an area near Pyongyang at around 13:20 local time towards waters off the country’s east coast.
Japan Coast Guard said it had detected what may have been a ballistic missile that landed in the sea, though it appeared to fall outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone, according to NHK.
North Korea has conducted missile tests for more than two decades as it develops systems capable of delivering nuclear weapons, which analysts believe it has already produced.
The country has been under sanctions from the United Nations Security Council since 2006 over its weapons programmes, though it has continued its tests despite economic restrictions.
Military drills under way
The launches came as South Korea and the United States carried out their annual military exercises in South Korea, which both countries say are defensive and intended to improve readiness against potential threats from the North.
On Saturday, hundreds of troops from both nations conducted river-crossing exercises involving tanks and armoured vehicles. Around 28,500 U.S. troops remain stationed in South Korea.
North Korea has long condemned such drills, describing them as rehearsals for a possible invasion.
The tests also come as Donald Trump signals interest in reopening talks with North Korea.
South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said after meeting Trump in Washington that the U.S. president remains eager to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for dialogue.
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