North Korea Fires 2nd Missile In Week
A ballistic missile was launched towards the Sea of Japan, ahead of US-South Korea joint military drills, which Pyongyang views as a rehearsal for invasion, with the missile flying over 700km and landing outside Japan's exclusive economic zone
North Korea has fired a ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan, its second such test in less than a week. The missile flew more than 700km over the body of water, also known as the East Sea, and landed in waters outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.
The launch came two days after South Korea and the US announced they will kick off their annual large-scale military drills on August 17. Japan's Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi called the launch a 'threat to peace and security in our region'.
South Korea's military condemned the test and warned it remains ready to repel any provocation by Pyongyang in cooperation with the United States. The US and South Korea have repeatedly said their training is defensive in nature.
North Korea has previously responded to the Ulchi Freedom Shield training and other major South Korea-US military exercises with provocative weapons tests and harsh rhetoric. The Ulchi Freedom Shield training is to start on August 17 and run for 11 days, with 18,000 South Korean soldiers taking part.
## Why it matters The launch is a significant escalation in tensions between North Korea and its neighbors, particularly as it comes ahead of the upcoming US-South Korea joint military drills. Pyongyang views these drills as a rehearsal for invasion, and has staged missile launches before and after them in the past. The international community is closely watching the situation, with Japan's Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi strongly protesting the North Korean launch through their embassies in Beijing.
## What happens next The situation is likely to remain tense in the coming days, with the US and South Korea set to begin their military drills on August 17. North Korea's neighbors will be on high alert, with South Korea's military ready to repel any provocation by Pyongyang in cooperation with the United States. The international community will be watching for any further escalation in tensions, and will be urging North Korea to halt its provocative weapons tests and return to talks with the US and South Korea.
