North Korea has launched several short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea, a move seen as a warning to US President Donald Trump. The launch came a day after the United States, South Korea and Japan ended their trilateral military drill, which North Korea views as a provocation.
Missiles fired from eastern coastal area
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected the launches of several missiles from North Korea's eastern coastal Wonsan area. The missiles flew about 250 kilometers (155 miles) each in a direction toward North Korea's eastern waters.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff said it has boosted its surveillance posture and was closely exchanging information on the launches with the US and Japan.
Response from South Korea and the US
South Korea's presidential national security council issued a statement urging North Korea to halt ballistic missile firings that violate UN Security Council resolutions.
The US Pacific Command said the North's launch event did not pose an immediate threat to US territory or to its allies. In a statement posted on X, it said: "We are aware of the recent missile launch and are consulting closely with our allies and partners.
"Based on current assessments, this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies. The United States remains committed to the defense of the US homeland and our allies in the region."
Context of the launch
The North Korean ballistic launch event, the first in about three weeks, came as the country was continuing its weapons display and seemingly flexing its military muscles. The decision comes after rebuffing President Trump's decision to scale back a major bilateral military drill with South Korea in a goodwill gesture.
On Friday, the US, South Korea and Japan ended their five-day Freedom Edge exercise as scheduled. The US Pacific Command said the militaries of the three countries "trained side by side across air, sea and cyber domains, sharpening the interoperability that keeps the region secure." It cited maritime maneuvers, air refueling, cyber coordination and medical drills.
