North Korea fires four ballistic missiles, hours after China, Russia verbally clash with US, allies over launches
- North has launched a series of missiles lately; Saturday’s came a day after clashes in UN between US/allies, China/Russia over the issue
- Amid speculation North is preparing to resume nuclear testing for first time since 2017, US/South Korea wrapped up joint military exercise
North Korea fired four short-range ballistic missiles into the western sea on Saturday morning, said the South Korean military, as the United States sent two supersonic bombers streaking over the South in a display of military might that underscored rising tensions in the region.
The North’s missiles flew about 130km (80 miles) at an altitude of about 20km (12 miles), South Korea said.
North Korea has launched around 30 missiles this week, including a possible failed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), drawing condemnation from Washington, Seoul and Tokyo and raising speculation Pyongyang could be readying for the resumption of nuclear testing for the first time since 2017.
Saturday’s missile launch came as the United States and South Korea wrapped up a six-day joint “Vigilant Storm” military exercise that began on October 31.
It involved some 240 military aircraft and two US strategic B-1B bombers, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
This is the first time the B-1B has been deployed in US-South Korean drills since 2017, which shows “the combined defence capabilities and determination of the Republic of Korea and the US to resolutely respond to any provocations from North Korea, and the will of the US to implement a strong commitment to extended deterrence”, JCS said in a statement.