Washington and Seoul made shows of force in response to Pyongyang’s latest missile test
Following the North’s latest weapon test, three projectiles were launched into the sea by North Korea. The United States and South Korea both mobilized warplanes to launch several surface-to–surface missiles.
Seoul’s military mobilized around 30 F-15 fighter jets and fired a Hyunmoo-II missile into the East Sea, its Joint Chiefs of Staff said, as cited by Yonhap, while US forces shot a MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) in the same direction, both in retaliation to Pyongyang’s series of missile tests on Wednesday morning.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs also admitted that a similar ‘Elephant Walk’ exercise involving a number of newer F-35 fighters was conducted the day before Pyongyang’s latest test to “deter ballistic missile provocations.”
Learn more
After the Quad rebuke, North Korea launches 3 missiles
The office of President Yoon Suk-yeol harshly denounced Pyongyang’s test – which involved at least three projectiles, including what was believed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) – calling it a “grave provocation that violates UN Security Council resolutions, raises tensions on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia and threatens international peace.”
Yoon also ordered “measures for the activation of extended deterrence and strengthening of the South Korea-US combined defense posture” and to enhance readiness across Seoul’s military.
Pyongyang’s 17th missile test this year came soon after US President Joe Biden departed Japan for Washington following his first official visit to Asia, which lasted five days.
Seoul official say that the presumed ICBM traveled 224 miles (360 km) and reached an elevation of 335 mi (540 km). Japan reported that the missile also flew in, and it was detected by them. “irregular trajectory” for a distance of around 466 miles (750km), while the country’s defense chief said it landed just outside of Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
