North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap. They were launched toward the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, Yonhap reported on Wednesday, citing the South Korean military. The military is still in the process of determining the type of missiles in more detail. North Korea confirmed the missile launch on Thursday.
According to state news agency KCNA, the military fired the missiles during “tactical nuclear exercises”. The exercise aimed to “send a clear message to enemies,” said a military statement released by KCNA.
The missile launch coincided with joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea. Wednesday’s Ulchi Freedom Shield military drills involved at least one U.S. B-1B strategic bomber flying over the Korean Peninsula, Yonhap said. On Tuesday, the US, South Korea and Japan held a joint naval missile defense exercise.
Washington, Seoul and Tokyo have increased defense cooperation in recent months in response to Pyongyang’s increasing missile tests. Last week, North Korea attempted to send a spy satellite into space for the second time, but failed again.
Military tensions on the Korean Peninsula have increased even more recently. North Korean ruler Kim Jong-un has repeatedly threatened military escalation in the region and has announced that he will expand his own nuclear arsenal “exponentially”. Washington and Seoul have warned for months that North Korea could carry out a nuclear weapons test in the near future. It would be the first test of its kind since 2017.
Since the end of the Korean War (1950-53), there has been only one armistice on the peninsula. Technically, South Korea and North Korea are still at war. Although the US supports South Korea, China is North Korea’s most important ally.