North Korea fired four short-range ballistic missiles into the Western Sea on Saturday, the South Korean military said, as Seoul and Washington ended a high-profile six-day military exercise.
North Korea launched a series of missiles this week, including a possible failed intercontinental ballistic missile, drawing condemnation from the United States, South Korea and Japan, and raising speculation it could be preparing to resume nuclear weapons testing. for the first time since 2017.
Saturday’s launches, between 11:31 am and 11:59 am local time, come as the United States and South Korea completed the “Vigilant Storm” exercise that began on Monday.
The missiles flew about 130 km (80 miles), reaching an altitude of about 20 km (10 miles), Seoul said.
The Allied exercise involved about 240 military aircraft and two U.S. B-1B strategic bombers, as well as four F-16 and four F-35A fighter jets, according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff.
This is the first time the B-1B has been deployed in US-South Korea exercises since 2017, showing “the combined defense capabilities and determination of the Republic of Korea and the US to resolutely respond to any provocations by North Korea, and the US willingness to implement a strong commitment to extended deterrence,” the joint chiefs said in a statement.
On Friday, Pyongyang demanded that the United States and South Korea halt “provocative” air exercises. South Korea said it sent warplanes in response to 180 North Korean military flights near the countries’ shared border on Friday.
On Wednesday, North Korea fired a daily record 23 missiles, landing off the coast of South Korea for the first time, after Pyongyang threatened to take powerful action unless Washington halted allied air exercises with South Korea. South.
As the discussion continued through the week, Washington convened a public meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Friday, in which it accused Russia and China of providing “total protection” to North Korea from other Council actions. of security.
A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson released a statement on Friday warning that “continued provocation must be followed by a sustained reaction,” state media KCNA said.
In recent years, the Security Council has been divided over how to deal with North Korea. In May, China and Russia vetoed a US attempt to impose more UN sanctions in response to North Korean missile launches.
Source: CNN Brasil
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