“South Korea’s military reported on Thursday that North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the sea located between the Korean peninsula and Japan. The incident occurred just hours before the scheduled rare summit in Tokyo, which South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to attend.”
“Throughout this week, North Korea has been conducting daily missile launches while criticizing the ongoing joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States as hostile actions.”
“On Thursday, the Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea announced that North Korea had fired at least one ballistic missile of an unknown kind off its eastern coastline.”
“North Korea launched at least one unknown type of ballistic missile off its eastern coastline, as declared by South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff on Thursday.”
“President Yoon is scheduled to attend a summit with Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, which will mark the first of its kind in over a decade. This summit is part of the two countries’ efforts to overcome economic, political, and historical disputes and to foster better cooperation in order to jointly address various challenges.”
“The two allies of the United States have also made an agreement to share real-time tracking information on North Korea’s missile launches and have pledged to enhance their military cooperation.”
“According to the South Korean military, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles on Tuesday, marking their first launch since the start of the largest military exercises in five years.”
“On Sunday, Pyongyang launched two strategic cruise missiles from a submarine, seemingly as a form of protest against the joint military exercises between the US and South Korea.”
“The joint military exercises, known as Freedom Shield, began on Monday and will last for 10 days. In an unusual move, South Korea’s military disclosed this month that a military drill called “Teak Knife,” which involves simulating precision strikes on key North Korean facilities, was conducted by the two allies prior to Freedom Shield.”
“The allies stated that the primary objective of the Freedom Shield exercises is to address the “evolving security landscape” caused by North Korea’s increased aggression.”
