South Korea and the United States fired eight ballistic missiles on Monday in response to a North Korean weapons test the previous day, Seoul’s military said.
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The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the allies launched the Army Tactical Missile System (ATAACMS) surface-to-surface missile early in the morning on targets in the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.
The 10-minute volley comes a day after North Korea launched eight short-range ballistic missiles following a South Korea-US joint military exercise involving a US aircraft carrier.
“Our military strongly condemns North Korea’s series of ballistic missile provocations and urges it to immediately stop acts that escalate military tensions on the peninsula,” the statement said.
Despite facing severe economic sanctions, Pyongyang has doubled down on upgrading its weapons program this year, with officials and analysts warning that the regime is preparing to conduct a new nuclear test.
Monday’s start is the second such joint show of force by allies led by new South Korean President Yoon Suk-yol, who have taken a tough stand against Pyongyang’s provocation.
Last month, Seoul and Washington conducted joint launches after Pyongyang fired three ballistic missiles – including a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile – in their first such joint move since 2017.
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