South Korea: in response to the North Korean test, Seoul and Washington launch ballistic missiles

The nuclear aircraft carrier "USS Ronald Reagan" in the middle of a mixed naval group, American and South Korean, June 4, 2022. AP

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On Monday, June 6, South Korea and the United States fired eight ballistic missiles in response to North Korea launching the same number of missiles the previous day, the South Korean military said.

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This ten-minute salvo, launched by the South Korean and American allies, comes the day after Pyongyang fired eight short-range ballistic missiles, following a joint military exercise between South Korea and the United States in which participated the 100,000 ton American aircraft carrier,

USS Ronald Reagan

.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the allies launched the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) surface-to-surface missile at dawn on Monday at targets in the East Sea, also called the Sea of ​​Japan.

Another nuclear test?

Our military strongly condemns the series of ballistic missile provocations by the North and strongly urges it to immediately cease acts that increase military tensions on the peninsula

 ," the South Korean military added in its statement.

Pyongyang has stepped up efforts this year to improve its weapons program, despite harsh economic sanctions.

Officials and analysts have warned that Kim Jong-un's regime is preparing to conduct another nuclear test.

Second show of force

Monday's firing is the second joint show of force by the allies under new South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who has vowed to toughen his stance in the face of Pyongyang's provocations.

Our government will react firmly and sternly to any provocation by North Korea 

," Yoon said in a speech on the occasion of a day of remembrance on Monday.

Last month, Seoul and Washington carried out combined launches, their first such joint action since 2017, after Pyongyang fired three ballistic missiles, including one believed to have intercontinental range.

(

with AFP

)

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: North Korea: the country fires a salvo of eight ballistic missiles

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  • South Korea

  • North Korea

  • United States

  • Defense

  • Diplomacy

  • Yoon Suk-yeol

  • Kim Jong Un