The South Korean military says South Korea and the United States fired eight ballistic missiles on Monday in retaliation for North Korea’s launching the same number of missiles the previous day.
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Coalition leaders said on Monday morning that the Allies had launched a military tactical missile system (ATACMS) landing missile at targets in the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.
The 10-minute Salvo comes the day after Pyongyang launched eight short-range ballistic missiles, following a joint military exercise between South Korea and the United States, in which a US aircraft carrier took part.
“Our military strongly condemns the continued ballistic missile provocations in the North and urges an immediate halt to actions that increase military tensions on the peninsula,” the South Korean military said in a statement.
Despite tough sanctions, Pyongyang has stepped up efforts this year to improve its weapons program. Officials and analysts have warned that the Kim Jong-un regime is preparing to test a nuclear bomb again.
Monday’s shooting is the second joint operation of allied forces under new South Korean President Eun-suk-yol, who has vowed to tighten his grip on Pyongyang’s provocations.
Last month, Seoul and Washington launched joint missiles, their first joint operation since 2017, when Pyongyang launched three ballistic missiles, one of which is believed to be intercontinental.
