NORTH KOREA fired about 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters Thursday, one day after the United States and South Korea announced reductions to their joint military exercises.
The missiles were launched from the Pyongyang region at about 5 p.m. local time. South Korea strengthened its surveillance and coordinated information about the launches with the United States and Japan. The Japanese prime minister’s office detected a suspected missile launch.
South Korea’s presidential National Security Council convened an emergency meeting and urged Pyongyang to stop launching ballistic missiles. North Korea is prohibited from conducting ballistic missile launches under U.N. Security Council resolutions.
The South Korean and U.S. militaries announced Wednesday that they would scale back the 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises. President Donald Trump had ordered the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” the drills shortly before they began Monday.
Trump cited his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un when explaining the decision. He also cited South Korea’s refusal to support him in the war against Iran.
Kim Yo Jong, Kim’s influential sister, dismissed Trump’s overture Wednesday and rejected the idea that reducing the exercises changed their nature.
“The provocative, aggressive nature of the drills won’t change even though their duration and size were reduced,” she said.
“If the U.S. calculates that it can propagate its recent measure as one of so-called good faith, they will not get the desired answer.”
Kim Yo Jong cited other military exercises conducted by the United States and South Korea this year. She also pointed to South Korea’s effort to introduce nuclear-powered submarines.
She described the personal relationship between Trump and her brother as “still excellent.”
Kim Yo Jong denied Trump’s claim that Kim had responded to his request for a conversation.
Reporters asked Trump Wednesday whether he expected to meet Kim this year.
“Yeah, I will be,” Trump said.
Trump declined to say whether he and Kim were exchanging letters. He said he gets along with the North Korean leader.
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Every time he opens his mouth, BAD things happen. Every.Single.Time.
The N Korean regime has become so much more dangerous over the last half decade. To the whole world, not just the US. What country shows a missile launch on TV? Think about that omg. Thanks Donny for keeping this highlighted.