DPRK launches suspected ballistic missile during US-South Korea military exercises

North Korea launched a presumably ballistic missile on Saturday, days after DPRK leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a cruise missile test from the country's newest warship, UNN reports, citing Bloomberg.

Details

Japan's coast guard said the presumed ballistic missile likely fell into the water. NHK reported, citing an unnamed defense ministry official, that the missile fell into waters outside the country's exclusive economic zone.

According to Yonhap, North Korea on Saturday fired at least one unidentified projectile eastward, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported, while South Korea and the United States conducted their key spring military exercises.

The JCS stated that it detected the launch, without providing further details.

The launch took place during the annual US-South Korean military exercises "Freedom Shield", which run from March 9 to 19.

North Korea has long condemned the allies' joint military exercises as a rehearsal for invasion, although Seoul and Washington say the exercises are purely defensive in nature.

Earlier this week, Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, condemned the ongoing military exercises and warned of "unimaginably terrible consequences."

The latest launch also came after Pyongyang called on Washington to recognize it as a nuclear power at the ruling party's first congress in five years. North Korea also condemned the US for its "shameless" attack on Iran.

North Korea also recently conducted a test launch of strategic cruise missiles from the destroyer "Choe Hyon", with the North Korean leader emphasizing the need to maintain and expand a "powerful and reliable nuclear deterrent", according to Pyongyang's state media reports.

North Korea last launched several short-range ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan (East Sea) on January 27, saying it was done to test an upgraded large-caliber multiple rocket launcher.

North Korea shows Kim Jong Un driving a nuclear-capable missile launcher19.02.26, 10:14 • 4931 view