North Korea Fires Ballistic Missiles over Tensions rising from U.S - South Korea Drills

 

South Korea’s military confirmed that the missiles were fired from North Korea’s western region toward the Yellow Sea. 

North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles on Monday, just hours after denouncing joint military drills by South Korea and the United States as a “dangerous provocative act” that could escalate into conflict.

South Korea’s military confirmed that the missiles were fired from North Korea’s western region toward the Yellow Sea. 

This marks the first reported ballistic missile test since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January, according to Reuters. 

 

The launch coincides with the ongoing Freedom Shield drills, an annual military exercise between the U.S. and South Korea, which is scheduled to run until March 20. North Korea has historically opposed such drills, calling them a rehearsal for invasion.

 

“This is a dangerous provocative act... which may spark off a physical conflict between the two sides by means of an accidental single shot,” North Korea’s foreign ministry said via state media outlet KCNA. The ministry also warned that the exercises threaten U.S. security.

The joint exercises have been overshadowed by an accident last week in which South Korean jets mistakenly bombed a civilian town near the border, injuring 29 people. The South Korean Air Force chief, Lee Young-su, issued a public apology on Monday, calling the incident “unprecedented.”

 

“It was an accident that should never have happened and it should never happen again,” Lee told reporters.