North Korea Launches Ballistic Missiles Hours Before US Aircraft Carrier's Visit in South Korea

The South Korean military reported that North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast on Monday, coinciding with joint US and South Korean military drills.

The North Korea missiles were fired from North Hwanghae province at 7:47 a.m. (22:47 GMT on Sunday), according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) of South Korea. They traveled about 370 km (230 miles), according to Reuters.

The Japanese government claims both North Korea missiles landed outside the country's exclusive economic zone.

The South Korean military "strongly condemned" the launches, calling for an immediate end to them since they are a grave threat and a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

USS Nimitz To Arrive in South Korea After Joint Maritime Drills

Monday's launches preceded Tuesday's docking of the USS Nimitz and its battle group at a South Korean navy facility in Busan.

The carrier planned to conduct combined maritime drills with South Korean troops off the Korean peninsula's south coast on Monday before its arrival, according to South Korea's defense ministry.

The ministry stated the visit was scheduled to have additional US "strategic assets" in the region to discourage North Korea since the USS Ronald Reagan visited in September and this would be the first such visit since then, according to NBC News.

During the last several weeks, North Korea has ramped up its military tests, most recently launching multiple cruise missiles on Wednesday in what Pyongyang said was an exercise in preparation for a tactical nuclear assault.

Leader Kim Jong Un stressed that South Korea and the US must suspend military exercises after North Korea tested a nuclear-capable subsurface attack drone on Friday.

Throughout 11 separate launches this year, North Korea has fired off over 20 ballistic and cruise North Korea missiles to convince the United States to ratify its nuclear status and open negotiations for lifting sanctions, per DW.

With the United States and South Korea conducting military maneuvers from March 13 to 23, North Korea has stepped up the volume of its military tests in recent weeks.

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North korea, South Korea, United States, Japan, Kim jong un