South Korea and the United States have launched four surface-to-surface missiles towards the Sea of Japan, the South Korean army announced on Wednesday (October 5th), after a series of fire by North Korea. According to the South Korean General Staff, the South Korean and American armies each fired two tactical missiles at simulated targets. On Tuesday, the air forces of the two allied countries had already carried out a bombing exercise on a target in the Yellow Sea.
Spokesman for the US National Security Council John Kirby, interviewed by CNN, said it was “respond to provocations from the North, to ensure that we can demonstrate our own capabilities” et “make sure we have the military capabilities ready”. However, he did not directly confirm the shootings, and did not provide more details. “It doesn’t have to come to that. We have made it clear to Kim Jong-un that we are ready to sit down at the table without preconditions”he added.
Among those shots, a Hyunmoo-2 ballistic missile malfunctioned that caused panic in the city of Gangneung, with some residents believing it was a North Korean attack. The explosion was particularly heard in this eastern city. No injuries were reported and an investigation was opened to clarify this “abnormal flight”.
Intensification of North Korean fire
North Korea, which has revised its legislation to make “irreversible” its status as a nuclear power, this year stepped up its firing and launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) for the first time since 2017. Its launch on Tuesday over Japan is part of these maneuvers. Tokyo had been forced to activate its alert system and ask the inhabitants of certain regions to take shelter.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has denounced a « escalade » and called Pyongyang “to resume the dialogue” in order to achieve “complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean peninsula”.
South Korean President Yoon Seok-youl, for his part, deplored a « provocation » violating “clearly the universal principles and standards of the United Nations”and ordered “a firm answer”.