North Korea Launches Ballistic Missiles Amid Joint US-South Korea Military Exercises

North Korea launched ballistic missiles into the Yellow Sea, coinciding with paused joint military exercises by South Korea and the US after a civilian bombing incident involving fighter jets. South Korea’s Air Force commander apologized for the mishap, while North Korea condemned the military drills, threatening consequences for South Korea and the US.

On Monday, local media reports indicated that North Korea launched unidentified ballistic missiles, according to South Korea’s military. These missiles were detected by South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff around 1:50 p.m., having been fired from the Hwanghae region of North Korea and aimed toward the Yellow Sea, as reported by Yonhap.

This missile launch coincided with the initiation of the annual US-South Korea joint military drills named ‘Freedom Shield’, which were temporarily suspended following a significant incident last week. During live-fire exercises, two KF-16 fighter jets unintentionally dropped eight MK-82 bombs outside a training range near Pocheon, leading to 29 injuries, including 15 civilians.

In light of the aforementioned incident, South Korea’s top Air Force commander publicly apologized, characterizing the occurrence as an error that was preventable. General Lee Young-su, the Air Force Chief of Staff, emphasized that this was an “accident that should never have happened, and one that should not recur,” as per reports from Yonhap.

The North Korean government has sharply criticized the ongoing US-South Korea military exercises, releasing a series of statements condemning the maneuvers. It threatened that both Seoul and Washington would face a “horrible” price for what it labeled as “dangerous provocative acts.”

In previous months, North Korea had showcased its military capabilities by launching strategic cruise missiles off its west coast, further emphasizing its commitment to nuclear preparedness. Reports indicate that Kim Jong-un has called for comprehensive war preparedness regarding the country’s nuclear capabilities and their potential deployment.

In summary, North Korea’s recent missile launches occur amid joint military exercises by the United States and South Korea, which were briefly halted due to a mishap involving South Korean fighter jets. The public apology from South Korea’s Air Force Chief underscores the seriousness of the incident, while North Korea’s strong denunciation reflects ongoing tensions in the region over military activities. This situation emphasizes the delicate balance of military preparedness and diplomacy on the Korean Peninsula.

Original Source: www.newsx.com