New Delhi: North Korea on Sunday tested a short-range ballistic missile off its east coast. Pyongyang took this step when a US aircraft carrier arrived in Seoul for a joint military study with South Korea. The US and South Korea are conducting this joint military exercise in view of the growing threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear program in the Asian peninsula.
The missile was fired from the city of Taichon
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile, fired from the western city of Taekwon, flew into the open sky before hitting the sea off North Korea’s east coast. However, South Korea’s military has yet to share any further details about the test, including the missile’s type, characteristics and firepower. North Korea has stepped up its missile testing activities this year. In 2022, it has so far tested more than 30 ballistic missiles, including the first intercontinental ballistic missile test since 2017. The missile launch comes as the US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and one of its fighters arrived in South Korea for joint military exercises.
No immediate reports of damage from testing – Japan
Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida issued a statement saying that while there were no immediate reports of damage from the test, Tokyo was trying to gather information about North Korea’s missile launch and ensure the safety of ships and planes. . The issue of the growing threat from North Korea’s nuclear program may also be the main agenda of the bilateral meeting of US Vice President Kamala Harris, who is visiting Seoul next week. Harris will fly to South Korea after attending the funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo.