Two short-range ballistic missiles are said to have flown towards the Sea of Japan. How far is not clear.
North Korea fired at least two missiles, according to South Korean forces. The missiles flew towards the Sea of Japan (Korean: East Sea), the General Staff in Seoul announced on Tuesday. Two short-range ballistic missiles were detected. How far they flew was initially unknown.
North Korea is prohibited from testing any kind of ballistic missiles by UN rulings. These missiles can be equipped with a nuclear warhead. The country is subject to tough international sanctions because of its nuclear weapons program.
South Korea’s military exercises with the United States began on Monday. North Korea accuses the two countries of preparing an attack with their joint maneuvers. Washington and Seoul dispute this. North Korea said it had fired two strategic cruise missiles from a submarine on Sunday. It is said that this test also served as a nuclear deterrent.
The conflict on the Korean peninsula has become much more explosive since last year. North Korea has increased the scope and pace of its missile tests. The US and South Korea have resumed full-scale joint military exercises.
(APA/dpa)