According to the governments of South Korea and Japan, North Korea has tested three missiles off its east coast, including a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
The tests took place just hours after US President Joe Biden returned from a five-day trip to the region, during which he committed to defend Seoul and Tokyo against Pyongyang’s increasing nuclear and missile arsenal.
President Yoon Suk-Yeol of South Korea, who chaired a National Security Council meeting, called North Korea’s missile tests a “severe provocation endangering international peace.”
According to a statement from his office, he also directed the “application of practical steps for the activation of extended deterrence and strengthening of the South Korea-US joint defence posture.”
The first missile was launched from the Sunan area of Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital, at 6 a.m. local time (21:00 GMT) on Wednesday, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea.
The second followed 37 minutes later, and the third followed five minutes later.
President Yoon Suk-Yeol of South Korea, who chaired a National Security Council meeting, called North Korea’s missile tests a “severe provocation jeopardising international peace.”
Nobuo Kishi, Japan’s defence minister, called the missile tests “obvious provocations” and told reporters that Japan will not allow North Korea’s efforts to enhance its missile technology.
North Korea has conducted a series of weapons tests this year, the most recent being on Wednesday. They came after US and South Korean authorities warned that Pyongyang was likely to test a nuclear weapon or a long-range missile in the near future, possibly during Biden’s Asia tour.
More updates on North Korea fires missiles will be provided here as we follow the situation closely.
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