The North Korean military fired eight short-range ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan on Sunday. It wasn’t until late May that the United States imposed new sanctions on the country for shooting down three missiles toward the Baltic Sea after US President Joe Biden visited South Korea. North Korea is feared to be preparing for a seventh nuclear test.
“Our military has seen eight short-range ballistic missiles fired from the Sunan area of Pyongyang,” the South Korean General Staff said. The missiles were all fired within about half an hour. Ballistic missiles don’t have an elevator or a cruiser motor. They are only powered during the launch phase to gain the speed they need to reach their destination. The range is great.
As further missile launches could follow, the South Korean General Staff says it is vigilant and working closely with the United States. The two countries fear that North Korea is preparing a seventh nuclear test. The country last conducted such a test in 2017 and was subsequently sanctioned by the United States Security Council. Diplomats say North Korea has nuclear bombs and may want to combine them with ballistic missiles.
23 missile tests this year
This year, the communist country has already conducted 23 missile tests. The latest was on May 25, when what is believed to be North Korea’s largest ICBM was shot down. However, stricter international sanctions against the country failed due to the veto of China and Russia.
US special envoy Sung Kim, South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Gunn and his Japanese counterpart Takehiro Funakoshi only left Seoul, South Korea, on Saturday after talks. That same day, South Korea and the United States themselves ended a three-day military exercise that included the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan. “The exercise has strengthened the determination of both countries to respond resolutely to any North Korean provocation,” the South Korean General Staff said. They are ready for diplomatic consultations and can also talk about easing sanctions for Pyongyang (North Korea).
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
