North Korea launches over 10 ballistic missiles amid U.S.–South Korea drills, Trump pushes for renewed talks
Yeoncheon_ North Korea fired more than 10 ballistic missiles into the sea on Saturday, South Korea’s military said, as joint military exercises by U.S. and South Korean forces continued and Donald Trump renewed efforts to reopen dialogue with Pyongyang.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were launched from an area near the capital Pyongyang toward waters off the country’s east coast. The launches occurred during large-scale allied military drills aimed at strengthening defense readiness against potential threats from the North.
Japan’s coast guard also detected what it said could be a ballistic missile that later fell into the sea. Public broadcaster NHK, citing Japanese military officials, reported the projectile appeared to land outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
The missile activity came as U.S. and South Korean troops conducted major annual exercises across South Korea this week. Officials from both allies say the drills are defensive in nature and designed to test military preparedness in the event of a conflict with North Korea.
On Saturday, hundreds of American and South Korean troops carried out river-crossing exercises involving tanks and armored combat vehicles. The drills were overseen by the commander of their combined forces.
The United States maintains about 28,500 troops in South Korea along with squadrons of fighter jets as part of its longstanding security commitment to the country
North Korea has routinely condemned such military exercises, describing them as rehearsals for an invasion. The country has repeatedly responded to the drills with weapons tests or military demonstrations.
For more than two decades, Pyongyang has tested a wide range of ballistic and cruise missiles as part of its effort to develop systems capable of delivering nuclear weapons.
It is widely believed to have successfully built nuclear devices.The missile and nuclear programs have prompted multiple rounds of sanctions by the United Nations Security Council since 2006, targeting the country’s trade, economy and defense sectors.
The launches came days after South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok met Trump in Washington to discuss ways to revive dialogue with North Korea.
Kim told reporters that Trump remains eager to hold talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un if an opportunity arises.
The latest missile launches underscore continuing tensions on the Korean Peninsula even as diplomatic channels remain under discussion.
