On Tuesday, North Korea fired a missile over Japanese territory for the first time. In response, South Korea and the US military conducted counter-missile drills on Wednesday. But the missiles launched by the two countries crashed in the sky. However, the South Korean military said there were no casualties. News from Reuters.
On Tuesday, Pyongyang test-fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) over Japan for the first time in five years. The government issued a warning to the residents of Japan to be safe in the incident. Even in some parts of northern Japan, a temporary suspension of train services was announced.
The White House National Security Council has called North Korea’s latest test ‘dangerous and reckless’. Meanwhile, the US military and its allies have stepped up their show of force.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said on Wednesday that South Korean and American troops fired missiles into the sea in response. The Allies had earlier bombed the Yellow Sea with fighter jets.
The US aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan made its first stop in South Korea in years last month. It will also join other warships in the sea between Korea and Japan. South Korea’s military called it a ‘highly unusual’ move designed to show allies’ resolve to respond to any North Korean threat.
The US Indo-Pacific Command was not immediately available for comment.
South Korea’s military confirmed one of its Hyunmu-2C missiles failed shortly after launch and crashed during a training exercise, but no one was injured. The fire was caused by burning rocket propellant. However, although the missile had a warhead, it did not explode.
South Korea’s military has apologized after the missile explosion caused concern among residents.
Military hardware failure is not a rare occurrence. North Korea has also suffered several failed missile launches this year.
South Korea and US warplanes have taken part in joint bombing drills. In the initial announcement of the exercise, the South Korean military did not mention the Hyunmu-2C launch or its failure. But later media briefings were dominated by questions about the incident.
President Yoon Suk-yeol vowed that Japan’s overflight would bring a decisive response from his country, its allies and the international community.
(October 5)