North Korea Fires Short-Range Ballistic Missile in Apparent Response to Joint Military Exercise
The Joint Chiefs of Staff have announced that North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan earlier today.
The launch appears to be a response to the ongoing joint military exercise between the US and South Korea, known as “Operation Freedom’s Shield”.
The missile was fired from Dongchang-ri in the province of Pyonganbuk-do and reportedly flew approximately 800 kilometers before landing in the sea.
The specific details of the missile’s trajectory and other technical information are still being analyzed by US and South Korean intelligence agencies.
This is the second missile test by North Korea in less than a week, following the successful launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-17, on March 16th.
Japan’s Defense Ministry has stated that the missile fired today reached a maximum altitude of 50 kilometers and flew for approximately 800 kilometers before falling into the sea outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
The recent missile tests by North Korea have raised tensions in the region and prompted the US and its allies to consider further sanctions and military measures.
The UN Security Council has scheduled a meeting tomorrow to discuss the issue of North Korea’s missile provocations at the request of the US, South Korea, and Japan.
