North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile on Sunday, March 19, according to the South Korean military, in the fourth show of force in a week as Seoul and Washington hold their largest joint military exercises in five years.
“Our military detected a short-range ballistic missile launched from the vicinity of Tongchang-ri in North Pyongan Province (Northwest) at 11:05 am (2:05 GMT) towards the East Sea.said the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), referring to the Korean name for the Sea of Japan.
sequel after announcement
There is nothing the North Koreans want to hide.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that the US and South Korean intelligence analyzed the missile, which flew 800 km, and described the launch as “dangerous provocation” In violation of United Nations sanctions. The Joint Chiefs of Staff added that the military is prepared to respond in some way “overwhelming”during pursuit “Intense and precise military maneuvers and exercises”.
They are “closer to an unforgivable red line”
Seoul and Washington carried out the largest military exercises in five years since Monday, which are supposed to bolster their cooperation in the face of the growing threat from the North. Baptized “shield of freedom”It should run until March 23.
The US Army’s Indo-Pacific Command also condemned the shooting, confirming this ‘destabilizing effect’ North Korean weapons programs banned. Tokyo also confirmed the shooting while condemning it “severely” Deputy Defense Minister Toshiro Inoue told reporters through its embassy in Beijing.
According to Japanese media, citing unnamed government sources, the shell apparently fell outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) after following an irregular trajectory.
sequel after announcement
The war of Ukraine, Iran and North Korea… 2023 and the establishment of chaos
The exercises in Seoul and Washington infuriate Pyongyang, which sees them as rehearsals for invading its territory and promises to respond regularly. “overwhelming”. they Close to an unforgivable red line.The official Korean Central News Agency said about it on Saturday.
“Frantic” maneuvers
Sunday’s launch comes a day after the KCNA announced it “more than 800,000” Young volunteers determined to “Ruthlessly exterminate war freaks” Join the army to fight “American imperialists”.
On Thursday, Pyongyang launched its Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile, the most powerful in its arsenal, in the presence of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter, and just before South Korean President Yun Suk’s visit to Japan. Yule.
North Korea is taking deterrent measures for war
Over the cold years due to a historical dispute, the two neighbors resumed language at the highest level and decided to present a united front against North Korea. Yoon Seok Yul also announced the reactivation of the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA). That agreement, which was signed in 2016 but put Seoul in doubt in 2019 due to diplomatic tensions, allows for the exchange of military information.
sequel after announcement
Thursday was Pyongyang’s second ICBM test this year, which KCNA said at the time was in response to the military drills. “frantic” from South Korea and the United States. The firing itself followed the firing of two short-range ballistic missiles on Tuesday, and two strategic cruise missiles fired from a submarine on March 12.
Soon a nuclear test?
Experts warned that Pyongyang may use these maneuvers as a pretext to launch more missiles and possibly even conduct a nuclear test, which will be the seventh in its history and the first since 2017.
North Korea announced last year “Irreversible” Its status as a nuclear power has called on Kim Jong Un to increase it “accelerated” The country’s military arsenal, including tactical nuclear weapons.
Earlier this month, the commander ordered the army to step up maneuvers for a “real war”.
