Pyongyang launches its largest missile salvo in nearly two years as joint Freedom Shield drills proceed on the Korean Peninsula, marking the third such ballistic missile launch by North Korea since January.
North Korea fired more than ten ballistic missiles into the sea on Saturday from an area near its capital Pyongyang, as United States and South Korean forces conducted their annual Freedom Shield military exercises on the Korean Peninsula.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, Japan’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that the missiles were fired at approximately 1:34 pm local time in a northeastern direction. Japan estimates that the missiles reached a maximum altitude of 80 kilometres and flew approximately 340 kilometres before landing near the east coast of the Korean Peninsula, outside Tokyo’s exclusive economic zone. Early reports indicated that no damage was reported by nearby aircraft or ships.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff separately confirmed that Pyongyang had fired approximately ten ballistic missiles towards the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan. The JCS stated that the incident marks the third time North Korea has fired ballistic missiles since the start of the year. South Korean, Japanese and United States forces have been placed in a heightened surveillance posture against additional launches.
Saturday’s launches were notable for the sheer number of missiles fired. North Korea has typically fired only one to three missiles during shows of force, though exceptions have occurred, including a barrage of at least ten missiles in May 2024.
The launches underscore rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula as Seoul and Washington conduct Freedom Shield, an annual military exercise running from March 9 to 19. The United States maintains roughly 28,500 troops and several squadrons of fighter jets stationed in South Korea. The allies have described the exercises as purely defensive and designed to strengthen readiness against potential threats from North Korea.
The missile launches also come amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East, and reports that the United States has redeployed some air-defence assets from South Korea to support operations against Iran. Analysts have noted that Pyongyang may be seeking to exploit the moment of global distraction to assert its military posture.
Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accused Seoul and Washington of destroying the stability of the Korean Peninsula and engaging in muscle flexing near its border through their display of military power. The launches also occurred weeks after Pyongyang dismissed Seoul’s recent diplomatic overtures for peace, calling them deceptive.
Japan’s Defence Ministry lodged a strong protest with North Korea and issued a formal condemnation, stating that such ballistic missile launches violate relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and constitute a grave issue concerning the safety of the Japanese people.
On Thursday, South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok met United States President Donald Trump in Washington to discuss potential ways to restart dialogue with Pyongyang. Trump is eager for an opportunity to meet again with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the South Korean Prime Minister told reporters.
North Korea has long described joint United States-South Korea military drills as dress rehearsals for armed aggression. Pyongyang has been subject to multiple United Nations Security Council sanctions since 2006 over its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons development programme, but has remained defiant.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
