As the US and South Korea commence military exercises, North Korea carries out missile tests

In the wake of an agreement between the leaders of the U.S., South Korea, and Japan to enhance their security and economic collaborations, North Korea carried out missile tests.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the test-firing of strategic cruise missiles from a naval vessel, as the U.S. and South Korean military initiated their annual large-scale exercises, which North Korea perceives as practice for an invasion.

Kim's inspection of an Eastern coast naval flotilla included observing weapon systems and combat readiness on a patrol boat. He also witnessed a drill involving the launching of "strategic" cruise missiles.

The term "strategic" suggested these weapons could potentially carry nuclear warheads. Kim emphasized the importance of building strong warships, modernizing naval weaponry, and fostering unwavering ideological and spiritual strength among sailors.

The missile launches' timing was not specified, and while a state media photo depicted Kim observing a missile launch from a different location, it was not on the patrol boat. North Korea's missile tests were expected as a response to the U.S.-South Korean joint military training, referred to as "Ulchi Freedom Shield," involving both computer-simulated command post exercises and large-scale field maneuvers.

North Korea has historically criticized such exercises as rehearsals for invasion and has conducted missile tests in response. U.S. and South Korean officials maintain the exercises are defensive.

Since the start of 2022, North Korea has conducted over 100 weapons tests, including nuclear-capable ballistic missiles intended to target the U.S., South Korea, and Japan.

At the Camp David summit, U.S. President Joe Biden, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida discussed enhanced ballistic missile defense cooperation and real-time missile warning data sharing on North Korea.

This marked the first-ever standalone summit among the three nations, emphasizing their commitment to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.

North Korea's reaction to the trilateral security push involves reinforcing its own military capability. South Korea's intelligence service noted that North Korea was taking steps toward launching long-range missiles and deploying a spy satellite. A previous attempt to launch a spy satellite in May had failed.

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