Seoul and Washington launch ballistic missiles in response to North Korea’s test

Where will the escalation stop? The South Korea and the United State Eight ballistic missiles were fired on Monday in response to the same launches North Korea’s missiles The day before, the South Korean military said.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the allies launched a surface-to-surface missile of the Army’s Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) at targets in the East Sea, also known as the Sea of ​​Japan, at dawn Monday.

Pyongyang launches eight short-range ballistic missiles

The ten-minute shots come the day after Pyongyang launched eight short-range ballistic missiles, following a joint South Korean-US military exercise involving a US aircraft carrier.

“Our military strongly condemns the series of ballistic missile provocations by North Korea and strongly urges it to immediately stop actions that increase military tensions on the peninsula,” the South Korean military said in its statement.

The US Indo-Pacific Command said a US missile and seven South Korean missiles were fired from northeastern South Korea during a live-fire exercise on Monday aimed at demonstrating its ability to “rapid response to crises”.

Pyongyang has stepped up efforts this year to improve its weapons program, despite harsh economic sanctions. Officials and analysts have warned that Kim Jong Un’s regime is preparing to conduct another nuclear test.

South Korea’s new president vows to take a tough stance on Pyongyang

Monday’s shooting is the second joint show of force by allies under the new South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who has vowed to toughen his stance in the face of Pyongyang’s provocations.

“Our government will respond firmly and resolutely to any provocation by North Korea,” Seok Yeol-yeon said in a letter on Monday.

Last month, Seoul and Washington carried out joint launches, their first joint action since 2017, after Pyongyang launched three ballistic missiles, including one believed to be at an intercontinental range.