Kim Jong Un Flexes Military Muscle As US Cracks Down On Weapons Program
North Korea fired roughly 10 ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan on Thursday — just hours after the United States and its allies announced new sanctions targeting the regime's weapons programs.
North Korea fired roughly 10 ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan on Thursday — just hours after the United States and its allies announced new sanctions targeting the regime’s weapons programs.
The country launched the missiles from the coastal city of Wonsan and traveled approximately 155 miles, prompting South Korea to increase military surveillance and coordinate with American and Japanese forces, according to Stars and Stripes. The barrage follows a series of North Korean weapons tests and escalating tensions along the Korean border, where landmine explosions injured three South Korean soldiers and Pyongyang has reportedly moved artillery closer to the demilitarized zone.
The North Korean Mission to the United Nations and United States Forces did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
The Sea of Japan also borders Japan and South Korea where there is American military presence. The launches comes after the U.S., European Union and Australia invoked sanctions on North Korea with the intention to hinder cooperation with the Russian military and ability to create weapons of mass destruction, according to Stars and Stripes.
“The South Korean military has strengthened its surveillance and vigilance against the possibility of further launches,” a spokesman from the country’s Defense Ministry told Stars and Stripes, adding that South Korea, America, and Japan are closely sharing information and “maintain a firm readiness posture.”
These launches were the latest in a series of military tests conducted by North Korea. This began Aug. 20 when North Korea launched a similar number of missiles while South Korea and America were conducting their joint Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise. This was at least the fourth launching of missiles this month. These launches occur amidst the backdrop of North Korea being accused of planting landmines on the southern side of the military demarcation line, per Stars and Stripes.