North Korea fires new ballistic missile at Sea of ​​Japan

Fourth show of force in a week. North Korea fired a new short-range ballistic missile toward the Sea of ​​Japan on Sunday (March 19th), according to the South Korean military. “Our military detected a short-range ballistic missile fired from the vicinity of Tongchang-ri area in North Pyongan Province (northwest) at 11:05 a.m. [3h05 heure de Paris]“, said the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). On Friday, a long-range missile was spotted by the South Korean army, after two short-range missiles identified on Tuesday.

US and South Korean intelligence are analyzing the projectile, which flew 800 km, the JCS said in a statement, calling the launch a “serious provocation” in violation of UN sanctions. The JCS added that the army stood ready to retaliate in a manner “overwhelming”while pursuing “intensive and meticulous military maneuvers and exercises”.

A shooting condemned by the American army and Tokyo

The U.S. Army Indo-Pacific Command also condemned the firing, which underscores “the destabilizing impact” banned North Korean weapons programs. Tokyo also confirmed the shooting, while condemning it “vehemently” through its embassy in Beijing, Deputy Defense Minister Toshiro Ino told reporters.

Since Monday, Seoul and Washington have been carrying out their most important military maneuvers in five years, supposed to strengthen their cooperation in the face of the growing threat from the North. Called “Freedom Shield”, they must last until March 23. These exercises infuriate Pyongyang, which perceives them as rehearsals for an invasion of its territory and regularly promises a response “overwhelming”.