North Korea has conducted tests of multiple ballistic missiles in response to joint military drills by the United States and South Korea. According to South Korea’s military, the missiles were launched from the western region of North Korea towards the Yellow Sea on Monday.
North Korea has labeled the U.S.-South Korea military exercises as a “dangerous and provocative act,” warning that they could inadvertently trigger a conflict.
A South Korean defense official stated that the missiles appeared to be ballistic, with a typical range of up to 300 kilometers.
The joint military exercise, called “Freedom Shield,” began recently and is scheduled to continue until March 20. However, a live-fire drill was temporarily halted last week after a South Korean aircraft accidentally dropped a bomb near a civilian town, injuring at least 29 people.
North Korea has demanded an end to the joint drills, viewing them as preparation for an attack. Meanwhile, the South Korean military emphasized that the exercises aim to bolster readiness against potential threats from North Korea.