Pyongyang’s provocations continue. North Korea confirmed on Thursday that it had carried out two launches of short-range ballistic missiles, saying they were a “tactical nuclear attack simulation” in response to maneuvers between the United States and South Korea, North Korean state agency KCNA reported.
These missiles, announced to be launched by the South Korean army, were fired on Wednesday “in simulation of a tactical nuclear strike aimed at completely destroying the main command centers and air bases” across the border, in South Korea. received in Seoul, according to KCNA.
According to the South Korean military, the missiles were fired shortly before midnight into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.
military exercises
These shots come as the United States and South Korea organize their annual joint Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises, which continue to anger Pyongyang.
“As we increase our surveillance and vigilance against further provocations, our military remains on alert and ready to intervene in close cooperation with the United States,” the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a message to the press. John Kirby, spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council, declined to comment at a news conference in Washington when the announcement was made.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called for a naval reinforcement because of the “risk of nuclear war” in its waters, state media reported on Tuesday.
It was not possible to put a spy satellite into orbit
Kim Jong-un accused Washington of being “more excited than ever” about joint naval exercises and the permanent deployment of strategic nuclear facilities in the waters around the Korean peninsula.
The United States, South Korea and Japan have stepped up defense cooperation in recent months and conducted a joint naval missile defense exercise on Tuesday to counter Pyongyang’s increasing nuclear and ballistic missile threat.
Destroyers equipped with Aegis radar systems from all three countries were involved in the exercise in international waters off the South Korean island of Jeju, the South Korean Navy said in a statement.
Until August 31, the US and South Korea conduct annual large-scale military exercises, incurring the wrath of Pyongyang. North Korea has conducted a record number of weapons tests this year and last week made its second attempt to put a spy satellite into orbit, but it failed.