North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles on Monday, March 10th, 2017. This action came just hours after the country condemned military drills conducted by South Korea and the United States, labeling them a "dangerous provocative act" that could inadvertently trigger a confrontation.
The South Korean military reported that the missiles were launched from North Korea's western region towards the Yellow Sea. This marked the first reported ballistic missile test since US President Donald Trump assumed office in January of that year.
According to a South Korean defense ministry official, the missiles were believed to be close-range ballistic missiles, a type of weapon with a range of less than 300 kilometers.
The annual Freedom Shield drills conducted by the allies were scheduled to continue until March 20th, although live-fire exercises were suspended after South Korean jets mistakenly dropped bombs on a civilian town near the border the previous week, injuring 29 people.
North Korea has consistently called for the cancellation of joint US-South Korea exercises, branding them a prelude to an invasion.
8 Comments
Habibi
North Korea repeatedly asked for negotiations and cessation of drills, but the West refused to listen.
ZmeeLove
Launching missiles to threaten neighbors solves nothing; diplomacy should prevail.
Habibi
Another irresponsible stunt from Kim Jong Un's regime that threatens innocent civilians.
Muchacho
Launching missiles after peaceful military exercises highlights North Korea's hypocrisy.
Marishka
How would you feel if two powerful militaries practiced invasion drills on your doorstep?
Noir Black
These missile launches are a rational response to continuous external threats to North Korea's sovereignty.
Eugene Alta
If other nations have the right to conduct military exercises, then North Korea too has the right to test their capabilities.
Noir Black
North Korea continues to recklessly endanger global peace. This missile launch is sheer irresponsibility.