North Korea fired three short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters amid heightened tensions over an alleged drone launch into South Korean airspace. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that their country’s military detected three missile launches from the area south of North Korea’s capital Pyongyang on Saturday morning. He said that after the missile launch, South Korea has increased vigilance and is ready to deal with every situation with close coordination with the US.
On the other hand, Japan’s Defense Ministry said that North Korea suspiciously fired ballistic missiles. This is the first missile launch by North Korea in the last eight days. It is known that five days ago, South Korea accused Pyongyang of sending five drones into its airspace. North Korea had earlier sent drones to South Korea in 2017.
‘Drone War’ On The Korean Peninsula
South Korean warplanes and helicopters failed to shoot down any North Korean drones seen along the border, and these drones returned to North Korea. One of these went as far as northern Seoul. South Korea’s military has apologized for failing to shoot down a North Korean drone. On Tuesday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol called for a stronger air defence system and high-tech drones to better monitor North Korea.
Kim’s Missiles Will Keep Thundering In 2023
The year 2022 is coming to an end, and this year North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has conducted a record number of missile tests. He has indicated that he will also be involved in the arms race next year. For 2023, Kim has set new important goals to increase ‘self-reliant defence capability’. More information about these goals is unavailable, but North Korea will rapidly advance its military power.
