March 20, 2023 09:43
North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile into the East Sea on Sunday, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff here, just three days after launching an intercontinental ballistic missile.
The flurry of recent missile launches is a protest against massive joint South Korea-U.S. drills.
The JCS on Sunday said the missile was fired from Tongchang-ri, North Pyongan Province around 11:05 a.m. and flew about 800 km before falling into the East Sea.
Japanese officials said it reached a height of about 50 km. That makes it likely to be an improved version of the KN-23 missile that is capable of carrying tactical nuclear warheads.
The regime has fired various types of missiles over the last two weeks by switching launch locations five times.
Meanwhile, the Defense Ministry here said a B-1B strategic bomber from the U.S. took part in a joint air drill with South Korean F-35A stealth fighter jets and the U.S.' F-16 fighters over the Korean Peninsula on Sunday, the seventh day of the "Freedom Shield" drills.
The North fired the missile right before the B-1B entered its sphere of operations over the Korean Peninsula.
State TV reported Monday that the country conducted drills simulating a nuclear counterattack against its enemies over the weekend. It revealed a couple of photos showing leader Kim Jong-un observing drills with his daughter Ju-ae.
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