North Korea launched more than 10 ballistic missiles into the sea Saturday, as joint military drills between the U.S. and South Korea continued and U.S. President Donald Trump expressed a willingness to resume dialogue with Pyongyang.
North Korean Missile Launches
Japan’s coast guard detected what could be a ballistic missile, which appeared to fall outside of Japan’s exclusive economic zone, according to public broadcaster NHK citing the military.
The missiles were launched from an area near the capital Pyongyang around 1:20 p.m. (0430 GMT) towards the sea off the country’s east coast, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.
North Korea has been test-launching a variety of ballistic and cruise missiles for over two decades in an effort to develop the capability to deliver nuclear weapons, which it is believed to have successfully built.
Despite multiple U.N. Security Council sanctions imposed since 2006, North Korea remains defiant, facing significant obstacles to its trade, economy, and defense.
Joint Military Drills and Diplomatic Overtures
South Korea and Washington launched annual major drills this week, described as purely defensive exercises aimed at testing readiness against military threats from North Korea.
On Saturday, hundreds of U.S. and South Korean troops conducted river-crossing drills utilizing tanks and armored combat vehicles, overseen by the commander of their combined forces. The U.S. military maintains approximately 28,500 troops and fighter jet squadrons stationed in South Korea.
North Korea routinely criticizes these exercises, characterizing them as “dress rehearsals” for armed aggression by the allies.
South Korea’s Prime Minister Kim Min-seok met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday to discuss reopening dialogue with North Korea.
According to South Korea’s Kim, Trump is eager for any opportunity to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
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