North Korea launches fourth missile in a week, Seoul showcases military might
North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea off its east coast on Saturday, hours before South Korea staged a major military parade featuring stealth aircraft and its own missiles.
The launch, the fourth in a week, comes amid a wave of display by countries in the region of their military forces, including joint anti-submarine exercises on Friday conducted by the South Korean, US and Japanese navies.
It also comes after US Vice President Kamla Harris visited the region last week, during which she met with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol in Seoul on Thursday.
The two Koreas are locked in a regional arms race that has seen a significant increase in arms and military spending.
During the 74th Armed Forces Day celebration in South Korea, President Yun condemned what he described as North Korea's recent military provocations and vowed to enhance joint military exercises with the United States.
"The government will strengthen the Korea-US joint exercises, and respond forcefully to North Korean provocations and threats by showing 'alliance in action''," Yoon said in a televised speech.
Yun and military officials watched a large display of advanced weaponry, including multiple rocket launchers, ballistic missiles, battle tanks, drones, and F-35 fighter jets, among other systems.
The US military displayed combat and attack aircraft.
Pictures of the event showed Yoon saluting from the back seat of an open-top car as he walked between rows of tanks and other weapons.
He said his country's conventional weapons are essential to deter North Korea, and Seoul is also seeking to increase major arms sales around the world.
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