North Korea Fires Ballistic Missiles Off Eastern Coast

North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles toward the sea off its eastern coast on Saturday morning, according to military officials in South Korea. The launches occurred a day after South Korea, the United States, and Japan wrapped up five days of joint naval exercises.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that several missiles were fired from the coastal area of Wonsan at approximately 5:20 a.m. local time on September 12. Military tracking indicated the weapons flew about 250 kilometers (155 miles) before splashing into the water.

Regional Security Response

Following the detection of the weapons tests, South Korea’s presidential National Security Office convened an emergency security meeting with representatives from the Defence Ministry, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and related agencies. South Korean defense officials said they are exchanging tracking data and intelligence on the launches with military authorities in Japan and the United States.

The US Pacific Command evaluated the activity and stated that the launches did not pose an immediate threat to US territory or American allies. The command reiterated that Washington maintains a firm commitment to the defense of South Korea and Japan.

Tensions Following Military Drills

The missile tests followed the conclusion of a five-day trilateral maritime drill focused on North Korean threats, conducted by naval forces from South Korea, the US, and Japan. Pyongyang has routinely condemned joint operations near the Korean Peninsula, viewing them as preparations for an invasion.

Hours after the trilateral drills began on Monday, North Korean Defence Minister Kim Song Gi denounced the maneuvers, warning that his country could execute ‘strong and reflective countermeasures from the standpoint of power.’ North Korean officials had previously characterized plans for the trilateral Freedom Edge exercises as a threat to regional stability.

The latest activity follows an August 20 missile launch by North Korea during the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises. US President Donald Trump had ordered those joint US-South Korean drills scaled down, calling them ‘inappropriate and hostile’ toward North Korea, while noting plans to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later in the year.

Background

North Korea regularly conducts missile tests in response to joint military exercises conducted by the United States and South Korea. Despite efforts by Washington and Seoul to scale back certain military drills to encourage dialogue, joint defence operations among the US, South Korea, and Japan continue to trigger retaliatory weapons demonstrations from Pyongyang.