North Korea launched about 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea, South Korea’s military reported. This happened the day after Pyongyang dismissed Donald Trump‘s decision to reduce joint US and South Korea military drills, which was likely an attempt to revive diplomatic relations.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that the missiles were launched from the Pyongyang area around 17:00 local time (08:00 GMT) on Thursday toward the eastern waters of North Korea. South Korea’s military has intensified surveillance and is closely coordinating with the US and Japan to exchange information about the launches.
Reaction from South Korea and Japan
South Korea’s National Security Council held an emergency meeting, after which it issued a statement calling on North Korea to stop launching ballistic missiles, which are banned by United Nations Security Council resolutions. The office of Japan’s prime minister earlier reported that it had detected a likely missile launch.
On Wednesday, South Korea and the US military announced that they were reducing their 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield drills. Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” the drills just before they began on Monday. Explaining his decision, the US president referred to what he said were good relations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, as well as South Korea’s refusal to support him in the war against Iran.
Statements from Kim Yo Jong and Donald Trump
The influential sister of the North Korean leader, Kim Yo Jong, on Wednesday rejected Trump‘s initiative, saying it was “not worth commenting on.”
“The drills’ provocative, aggressive nature will remain unchanged, even though their duration and scale have been reduced,” she said. “If the US thinks it can present its recent move as an act of so‑called goodwill, it will not receive the response it expects.”
She also pointed to a series of other military exercises conducted by the US and South Korea earlier this year, as well as South Korea’s desire to develop nuclear‑powered submarines. However, Kim Yo Jong refrained from the fiery rhetoric typical of North Korea and said that the personal relationship between her brother and Trump was “still wonderful.” This may indicate Pyongyang’s desire to wait for greater concessions from Trump before returning to negotiations.
She denied Trump‘s statement that Kim Jong Un had responded to his offer to talk. When asked by reporters on Wednesday if he would meet with Kim Jong Un this year, Trump replied: “Yes, I will.” He did not answer whether he exchanges letters with Kim but noted that he “has good relations with him.”
Source: The Guardian
