North Korea Fires Ballistic Missiles During Blinken Visit to Seoul
North Korea’s Missile Launch
North Korea launched ballistic missiles into the sea on Monday, marking the first such incident in two months. The launch coincided with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Seoul for a conference on advancing democracy hosted by President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Response from South Korea and Japan
South Korea’s military reported that multiple short-range missiles were fired from a region south of Pyongyang, with the projectiles landing east of the Korean peninsula. The country is sharing information on the launch with the United States and Japan. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida condemned the launches, stating they were a violation of U.N. resolutions.
Global Concerns
The actions by North Korea have raised concerns internationally, with Kishida emphasizing that such provocations threaten regional peace and security. The recent missile launches come amidst a series of military exercises conducted by North Korea, overseen by leader Kim Jong Un.
Joint Military Drills and Summit for Democracy
The missile launch followed joint military drills between South Korea and the U.S. Additionally, Blinken is attending the Summit for Democracy conference aimed at addressing democratic challenges globally. The conference seeks to combat democratic erosion and protect fundamental rights and freedoms.
North Korea’s Previous Missile Tests
In previous missile tests, North Korea had launched hypersonic missiles and cruise missiles. The country’s military activities have drawn international attention and condemnation, highlighting the need for diplomatic efforts to address security concerns in the region.
