Days after the United States sent sophisticated fighter jets to South Korea for joint training, North Korea is believed to have conducted artillery firing drills, according to South Korea.
In a statement, the Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea stated that on Sunday afternoon, it discovered numerous trajectories believed to be North Korean artillery.The Joint Chiefs of Staff informed reporters via text message that "our military identified flight trajectories that are suspected to be North Korea's multiple rocket launchers from roughly 18:21 to 18:37pm today."
Without providing any information, it stated that "our military has enhanced monitoring and vigilance, and maintained a thorough readiness posture while retaining tight US-South Korea coordination."
The suspected launches, according to South Korea's presidential office, took place off North Korea's west coast. It stated that National Security Adviser Kim Sung-han examined the readiness of the South Korean military and that his office closely tracks any potential follow-up launches by North Korea.
North Korea has conducted an unusually high number of weapons tests this year, including nuclear-capable missiles that might reach the US mainland and its allies, including South Korea and Japan.The isolated dictatorship is reportedly preparing to conduct what would be its seventh nuclear test, according to authorities in Washington and Seoul. The US has warned that such an action would elicit a "swift and robust" response.
To address the nuclear threat from Pyongyang, South Korea will "strengthen" its defense capabilities, as well as its security cooperation with Washington and Tokyo, according to Lee Jong-sup, the country's minister of defense.negotiating chip
According to some experts, North Korea is trying to advance its weaponry and strengthen its negotiating position when it comes to future talks with the US to obtain sanctions relief or security guarantees.
Six US F-35s from the Alaskan Eielson Air Force Base landed in South Korea last week for their first brief stay there since late 2017 to conduct joint training with South Korean fighter jets.The deployment, according to South Korea's defense ministry, was made to show off the partners' coordinated defense posture and robust deterrence against potential external aggression while enhancing communication between the two air forces.
According to a US military statement, during the anticipated 10-day training mission, US aircraft intended to fly over South Korea and the nearby waterways.Commonly, North Korea interprets joint drills between the US and South Korea as a practice invasion and reacts by conducting its own nuclear tests.
Defense officials from the US and South Korea have consistently stated that they have no plans to invade North Korea.
According to North Korea, it had no choice but to create nuclear weapons in response to military threats from the US.
Despite its recent missile launches, North Korea has not carried out its anticipated first nuclear bomb test in five years. According to Seoul authorities, this is most likely because to an ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and China's objections, the country's last significant ally and source of help.
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