North Korea has launched multiple ballistic missiles, according to reports from Seoul.

North Korea Fires Ballistic Missiles Amid Joint US-South Korea Military Drills

Seoul, South Korea – North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles into the Yellow Sea on Monday, just hours after South Korea and the United States commenced their annual joint military exercises. The missiles were fired from North Korea’s Hwanghae province, marking the fifth such launch event by Pyongyang this year.

The joint drills, named “Freedom Shield,” are set to last for 11 days and have long been viewed by North Korea as a provocation. The missile launch follows a warning last week from Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who cautioned against further “provocations” after the U.S. deployed an aircraft carrier to South Korea.

Key Points

1. Missile Launch Details
   • North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles from Hwanghae province into the Yellow Sea.
   • This marks the fifth missile launch by North Korea in 2024.
2. North Korea’s Response to Joint Drills
   • Pyongyang condemned the “Freedom Shield” exercises, calling them an “aggressive and confrontational war rehearsal.”
   • North Korea’s Foreign Ministry warned that the drills could escalate into a “physical conflict” on the Korean Peninsula.
   • The statement reiterated Kim Jong Un’s goal of achieving “radical growth” in North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, citing perceived threats from the U.S. and its allies.
3. South Korea-US Military Coordination
   • South Korea has heightened its surveillance and is closely coordinating with the U.S. following the missile launches.
   • The “Freedom Shield” drills resumed after a brief pause due to a military mishap in South Korea last week.
4. Military Mishap During Warm-Up Drills
   • Last Thursday, two South Korean KF-16 fighter jets mistakenly bombed a civilian area in Pocheon, near the North Korean border, injuring about 30 people, including two seriously.
   • The jets fired eight MK-82 bombs in the incident, prompting an ongoing investigation by South Korean authorities.

Conclusion

North Korea’s latest missile launch underscores its continued defiance in response to joint military exercises by South Korea and the United States. Pyongyang’s actions and rhetoric highlight its perception of these drills as a direct threat, further escalating tensions on the