South Korean and US Military Exercise Protest, North Korea Fires 2 Ballistic Missiles Into The East Sea
North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles towards the East Sea on Thursday (15/6) local time. The move was in protest at recent massive drills by South Korea and the United States.
Shortly before the missile launch, a spokesman for North Korea's defense ministry issued a statement condemning what he called the "provocative and irresponsible" exercise.
Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected launches from the Sunan area of Pyongyang between 7:25 pm and 7:37 pm local time, and each missile flew about 780 kilometers before splashing into the sea.
"South Korean and US intelligence authorities are conducting a thorough assessment of the (missile) specifications and possible additional provocations," JCS said in a text message to reporters.
JCS urged North Korea to immediately stop the missile launch, calling it a significant act of provocation, which not only undermines peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, but also in the international community.
"In close coordination with the US , our military will maintain a strong readiness posture based on our ability to respond to any provocation," the JSC said.
On Thursday (15/6), South Korea and the US concluded the fifth round of the Joint Direct Fire Exercise in Pocheon, which is just 25 kilometers south of the inter-Korean border.
More than 610 military assets were mobilized for the exercise, including F-35A fighters and K9 self-propelled howitzers from the South Korean side, as well as F-16 fighter jets and Gray Eagle drones from the US side.
On the other hand, North Korea's Ministry of Defense accused South Korea and the US of increasing tensions, and said joint military exercises between the two allied countries needed to be responded to.
"Our army strongly condemns the provocative and irresponsible act of the puppet military authority which increased military tension in the region despite repeated solemn warnings," the spokesman said in a statement carried by KCNA.
"Our armed forces will fully oppose all forms of demonstrative movements and provocations of the enemy," the official said.