Photo courtesy of Anadolu
South Korea detected multiple short-range ballistic missile launches from North Korea over the weekend, with Pyongyang later saying the activity formed part of a coordinated firepower exercise involving missiles, artillery and attack drones.
The launches were traced to the Wonsan area early Saturday and traveled about 250 kilometers toward waters off North Korea’s eastern coast, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.
North Korean state media said the drill brought together selected units from five Korean People’s Army artillery and missile formations to test coordinated strikes using different weapons systems.
The exercise featured tactical ballistic missiles, tactical cruise missiles, large-caliber thermobaric multiple rocket launchers and attack drones, according to Pyongyang.
KCNA claimed the weapons struck their assigned targets with complete accuracy, but the assertion could not be independently verified.
The drill came a day after South Korea, the United States and Japan wrapped up the five-day Freedom Edge exercise near Jeju Island, which included training in maritime operations, air and missile defense, cyber coordination and information sharing.
Seoul, Washington and Tokyo have described Freedom Edge as defensive and aimed at improving their response to North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, while Pyongyang has repeatedly denounced such drills as preparations for conflict.
The latest missile activity also drew renewed attention to UN Security Council resolutions barring North Korea from conducting launches using ballistic missile technology, as regional militaries continued monitoring Pyongyang’s weapons development and readiness.