- North Korea launched a suspected ballistic missile toward the sea on Thursday, according to Japan, a day after North Korea dismissed a U.S. decision to reduce military drills with South Korea.
- South Korean media, citing the military, reported that North Korea fired an unidentified projectile off the North’s east coast.
- Kim Yo Jong warned that if the U.S. calculates its recent measure as a sign of good faith, it will not get the desired answer.
North Korea's recent missile launch underscores the persistent tensions in the region, particularly following the U.S. decision to reduce military exercises with South Korea.
The Japanese prime minister’s office confirmed the detection of the missile, which was fired from North Korea's east coast.
On Wednesday, the U.S. and South Korean militaries announced a scaling back of their 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, a move that North Korea interpreted as a sign of weakness.
Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, criticized the U.S. for its attempts at diplomacy, stating, “The provocative, aggressive nature of the drills won’t change even though their duration and size were reduced.”
She further warned that if the U.S. believes it can portray its actions as a gesture of goodwill, they will be disappointed.
This missile launch follows a series of military drills conducted by the U.S. and South Korea earlier this year, alongside South Korea's ambitions to introduce nuclear-powered submarines, which have heightened tensions in the region.
“Kim Yo Jong warned that if the U.S. sees its recent measure as a sign of good faith, it will not get the desired answer. South Korean media, citing the military, reported the projectile was fired off the North's east coast.”
