North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles toward the West Sea on Monday, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff reported, in an apparent protest against South Korea and the United States' large-scale annual military drill.
The JCS said in a message sent to press in Seoul that it detected North Korea launching multiple ballistic missiles from inland areas of the Hwanghae provinces toward the West Sea at around 1:50 p.m.
"Our military has reinforced surveillance and vigilance while maintaining full readiness in close coordination with the United States," the JCS stated. The missiles appeared to be "close-range" ballistic missiles, but further details have yet to be confirmed, it added.
The missile launch marks North Korea’s first provocation since US President Donald Trump returned to office on Jan. 20. The last missile test occurred on Jan. 14.
Earlier in the day, South Korea and the United States began their annual Freedom Shield exercise, a large-scale combined drill aimed at strengthening the allies' readiness capabilities. This year, the drill focuses on command post exercises based on computer simulations, assuming an all-out war against North Korea, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.
"This year’s scenario incorporates evolving North Korean tactics observed in its military activities, including the deployment of drones, GPS jamming and cyberattacks, particularly in relation to North Korea’s military support for Russia," the JCS said.
The exercise includes field training exercises across South Korea, with the number of outdoor maneuvers increasing to 16 from 10 last year. Approximately 19,000 South Korean troops are set for participation.
The JCS also underscored the exercise’s defensive nature, noting that member states of the United Nations Command are set to participate, while the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission will monitor the drill to ensure compliance with the 1953 Korean War Armistice Agreement.
The exercise has drawn strong criticism from North Korea, which contends that it legitimizes Pyongyang’s "strongest response measures" against the US.
In a statement released Sunday, North Korea’s Foreign Ministry condemned the drills as a continuation of Washington’s "military hysteria," further asserting, "The US’ reckless actions and irrational choices will ultimately undermine its own security."
Earlier this month, Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said North Korea is seriously considering “escalating strategic-level deterrence measures” when the USS Carl Vinson, a US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, arrived at a port in Busan to participate in the exercise.
South Korea’s military stated that it is closely monitoring North Korea for potential provocations, including intercontinental ballistic missile launches or a seventh nuclear test, in cooperation with the US.
The Freedom Shield exercise runs through March 20.
Meanwhile, live-fire drills scheduled as part of the field training exercises have been canceled following an accident on Thursday, when two South Korean KF-16 fighter jets mistakenly dropped eight bombs on a civilian area, injuring 29 people.
flylikekite@heraldcorp.com
