North Korea Launches Rockets into Yellow Sea After Joint Drills with US and Japan

North Korea launched over ten rockets into the Yellow Sea after joint air drills by South Korea, the US, and Japan. These short-range ballistic missiles were fired from an upgraded launcher near Pyongyang. The launches further escalate tensions amid North Korea’s ties with Russia and ongoing expansions of military capabilities.

On Thursday morning, North Korea launched over ten rounds of rockets into the Yellow Sea, originating from Sunan near the capital of Pyongyang. This action came just a day after South Korea held joint air drills with the United States and Japan, marking a significant uptick in military tensions in the region, according to South Korea’s military.

Typically, North Korea’s military projectiles are classified as short-range ballistic missiles by South Korean authorities, which raises alarms due to the restrictions imposed by UN Security Council resolutions that prohibit such launches.

The recent missiles were reportedly fired from an upgraded 240-millimeter multiple rocket launcher unveiled by North Korea last year. This launcher is thought to have the capability to hit population areas in South Korea, including the densely populated Seoul metropolitan region, according to the New York Post.

“The projectiles, believed to be multiple launch rockets, flew tens of kilometers before falling into the Yellow Sea,” said a South Korean military official who requested anonymity in discussions with local media. The official also noted that South Korean and U.S. intelligence agencies are keeping a close watch on the developments following these missile launches.

The launching of these rockets coincided with the first trilateral military air exercise held by South Korea, the U.S., and Japan under the administration of newly elected President Lee Jae Myung. The joint exercise on Wednesday underscored the growing military cooperation between the three nations amid rising North Korean provocations.

The situation on the Korean Peninsula continues to intensify, especially as reports indicate an increasingly closer relationship between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Allegations have surfaced suggesting that North Korea may have provided weapons and as many as 15,000 troops to support Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Alarmingly, South Korean officials are concerned that Pyongyang could obtain economic benefits and advanced military technologies in exchange, potentially enhancing its weapons development agenda.

Notably, Kim has been relentless in progressing North Korea’s nuclear and missile ambitions. This year alone, the country successfully rolled out two 5,000-ton naval destroyers, which Kim hailed as, “convincing proof of the rapid transformation of our Navy.” As the geopolitical landscape evolves, the implications of these advancements are yet to be fully realized.

In summary, North Korea’s recent rocket launches into the Yellow Sea follow joint military exercises held by South Korea, the US, and Japan. This escalation reflects the tense atmosphere on the Korean Peninsula, heightened by ties between North Korea and Russia. As military capabilities grow, particularly in nuclear and missile technology, the region remains on high alert for further developments that could impact international relations and security.

Original Source: www.livemint.com