South Korea Launches Missile in Response to Pyongyang's Recent Missile Tests
Seoul has stated that its demonstration of military strength was a reaction to North Korea's recent testing of a Hwasongpho-19 ICBM last week. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Seoul launched a Hyunmoo-II ballistic missile on Thursday as a show of force in response to North Korea’s recent testing of a Hwasongpho-19 ICBM. The South Korean military deemed the live-fire exercise a caution against any potential provocations from the North.
According to reports from South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, the short-range ballistic missile successfully struck a target in the Yellow Sea, which was intended to simulate a North Korean launch pad. “Our military demonstrated its strong resolve to respond to any North Korean provocation as well as the capabilities and posture for precision strikes,” military officials stated.
In addition, the Joint Chiefs of Staff assured an “overwhelming” response to any hostile actions from North Korea and emphasized that South Korea, alongside the United States, would remain vigilant in monitoring military activities in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). This missile launch occurred shortly after North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan.
Last Thursday, Pyongyang conducted a test of the Hwasongpho-19 intercontinental ballistic missile, which was observed by leader Kim Jong-un as a message to potential aggressors. The DPRK's state-run Korean Central News Agency proclaimed that the launch “updated the recent records of the strategic missile capability of the DPRK.”
While missile tests are not uncommon for North Korea, ICBM launches are relatively infrequent, with the last one occurring in December. During a press conference last Thursday, Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, suggested that “depending on the weight of the warhead, the [missile’s] range could exceed 15,000km,” indicating the capability to reach the US mainland.
The DPRK has faced numerous UN Security Council resolutions condemning its missile program over the past few decades. Following the recent ICBM test, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called it a “clear violation” of these resolutions. In response, Kim Yo-jong, a senior North Korean official and the leader's sister, criticized Guterres for allegedly ignoring the “anti-DPRK rhetoric and acts” from the US and its allies, claiming these have contributed to escalating military tension on the Korean Peninsula. She accused the UN secretary-general of “taking issue only with the DPRK’s right to self-defense.”
North Korea has consistently condemned joint military exercises conducted by the US and South Korea, regarding them as preparations for potential aggression. Tensions between Seoul and Pyongyang have increased in recent months, fueled by accusations involving the dropping of propaganda leaflets and waste over the border via drones and balloons.
In a separate development last week, the EU and Japan formalized a new security and defense pact. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell described the agreement as a “historical and very timely step,” highlighting that it marks the first security partnership between the EU and an Asia-Pacific nation. The primary focus of this alliance is to enhance cooperation in military equipment development and joint military exercises.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
According to reports from South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, the short-range ballistic missile successfully struck a target in the Yellow Sea, which was intended to simulate a North Korean launch pad. “Our military demonstrated its strong resolve to respond to any North Korean provocation as well as the capabilities and posture for precision strikes,” military officials stated.
In addition, the Joint Chiefs of Staff assured an “overwhelming” response to any hostile actions from North Korea and emphasized that South Korea, alongside the United States, would remain vigilant in monitoring military activities in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). This missile launch occurred shortly after North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan.
Last Thursday, Pyongyang conducted a test of the Hwasongpho-19 intercontinental ballistic missile, which was observed by leader Kim Jong-un as a message to potential aggressors. The DPRK's state-run Korean Central News Agency proclaimed that the launch “updated the recent records of the strategic missile capability of the DPRK.”
While missile tests are not uncommon for North Korea, ICBM launches are relatively infrequent, with the last one occurring in December. During a press conference last Thursday, Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, suggested that “depending on the weight of the warhead, the [missile’s] range could exceed 15,000km,” indicating the capability to reach the US mainland.
The DPRK has faced numerous UN Security Council resolutions condemning its missile program over the past few decades. Following the recent ICBM test, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called it a “clear violation” of these resolutions. In response, Kim Yo-jong, a senior North Korean official and the leader's sister, criticized Guterres for allegedly ignoring the “anti-DPRK rhetoric and acts” from the US and its allies, claiming these have contributed to escalating military tension on the Korean Peninsula. She accused the UN secretary-general of “taking issue only with the DPRK’s right to self-defense.”
North Korea has consistently condemned joint military exercises conducted by the US and South Korea, regarding them as preparations for potential aggression. Tensions between Seoul and Pyongyang have increased in recent months, fueled by accusations involving the dropping of propaganda leaflets and waste over the border via drones and balloons.
In a separate development last week, the EU and Japan formalized a new security and defense pact. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell described the agreement as a “historical and very timely step,” highlighting that it marks the first security partnership between the EU and an Asia-Pacific nation. The primary focus of this alliance is to enhance cooperation in military equipment development and joint military exercises.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
