North Korea fires two ballistic missiles at South Korea

Seoul:

North Korea on Monday launched two ballistic missiles, South Korea’s military confirmed – the latest in a series of weapons tests by Pyongyang that have soured relations with Seoul.

A short-range ballistic missile was launched in the early hours of the morning, the South’s military Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. About 10 minutes later, a second, as yet unidentified, missile was detected, he added.

“Our military has increased surveillance and surveillance in preparation for further launches,” the JCS said, adding that it shared information about the incidents with the United States and Japan.

The North’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) did not immediately offer confirmation of the launches.

Last week, North Korea said it had successfully tested a multiple-warhead missile, but the South said the launch ended in a mid-air explosion.

Relations between the two Koreas are at one of their lowest points in recent years, with the North intensifying weapons tests while bombarding the South with balloons filled with trash.

Pyongyang says these letters are in retaliation for balloons loaded with anti-regime propaganda leaflets sent to the North by Southern activists.

In response to the North’s repeated launches, South Korea completely suspended a tension-reduction military treaty. It also resumed loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts and live firing exercises near the border.

South Korea has also been concerned about the North’s warming relations with its isolated neighbor, Russia.

North Korea is accused of violating arms control measures by supplying weapons to Russia for use in its war in Ukraine, and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a summit with leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang in June. in a demonstration of unity.

On Sunday, Pyongyang condemned joint military exercises by South Korea, Japan and the United States, calling them an “Asian version of NATO” and warning of “fatal consequences.”

The three-day “Freedom Edge” exercises included preparation in ballistic missile and air defenses, anti-submarine warfare and defensive cyber training.

Pyongyang has always condemned similar combined drills as rehearsals for an invasion, but Seoul said on Sunday that the latest drills were a continuation of defensive drills held regularly for years.

(Except the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)