North Korea launches cruise missiles, US, South Korea conduct drills

North Korean state media did not immediately confirm Wednesday’s launch. However, it posted a statement from a senior foreign ministry official, Cho Cheol-su Su, protesting the recent US diplomatic attempt at the UN Security Council to push for North Korea’s denuclearization.

Cho said any outside attempt to force North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons would be considered a “declaration of war.” He said North Korea would deal harshly with such attempts in line with its escalating nuclear doctrine.

North Korea conducted more than 70 missile tests last year, its highest number in a year, and it plans to launch nearly 20 missiles in 10 separate events in 2023, including a full range of weapons. Extended the provocative run in the demo. Weapons tested this year included short-range nuclear ballistic missiles capable of hitting South Korea and intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to hit the U.S. mainland.

On March 12, the day before the South Korea-US joint exercises began, North Korea launched two cruise missiles from a submarine. Last month, North Korea launched four long-range cruise missiles that it said could hit targets 2,000 kilometers away.

On Sunday, Kim oversaw a test launch of a short-range ballistic missile, supposedly launched from a silo dug into the ground. It said it intended to send a “stronger warning”.

North Korean media said a simulated nuclear warhead mounted on a missile exploded 800 meters (2,600 feet) above water.

This is the first time North Korea has announced such an altitude to detonate a nuclear weapon.

By releasing such information, it is believed that North Korea wanted to intimidate South Korea and the United States. After testing the country’s longest-range Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile last week, Mr Kim told state media the launch was meant to “fear the enemy”.

A series of North Korean tests show that Kim Jong-un is encouraged by his advancing nuclear arsenal. North Korea enacted a law last year authorizing the first use of nuclear weapons.

South Korea and the United States have responded by expanding joint military exercises.

South Korea and the United States are planning live-fire exercises of “unprecedented scale” in June, South Korea’s defense ministry said Wednesday.

As part of ongoing joint exercises, South Korean and U.S. forces conducted live-fire drills Wednesday at a location near the border with North Korea. stressed that it is defensive in nature.

“We will continue to do that,” he said. “That’s what we expect in conflict and what we’re good at.”

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/north-korea-fires-cruise-missiles-us-south-korea-stage-drills-rcna76071 North Korea launches cruise missiles, US, South Korea conduct drills

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