North Korea fires rocket shells after trilateral drills

Seoul

North Korea launched around 10 artillery shells from a multiple rocket launcher system on Thursday morning, according to South Korea’s military. The firing occurred near Pyongyang’s Sunan area and targeted the Yellow Sea.

The launch came just a day after South Korea, the United States, and Japan conducted joint aerial drills aimed at countering military threats from North Korea. The South Korean military confirmed it is analyzing the launch with U.S. intelligence.

The shells were fired around 10 a.m. and are believed to have come from the North’s 240mm rocket launcher system, which is capable of targeting Seoul and surrounding areas. In 2023, North Korea had tested a guided version of this launcher.

On Wednesday, the South conducted air exercises with U.S. and Japanese forces, involving fighter jets such as the South Korean F-15K, the U.S. F-16, and Japan’s F-2. It was the first such exercise under President Lee Jae Myung's administration.

This is not the first such provocation this year. Last month, North Korea fired cruise missiles into the East Sea, just one day after a failed launch of a new warship caused internal damage, which leader Kim Jong-un called a “criminal act.”

The South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said they are maintaining close surveillance of North Korea to prevent miscalculation. They also reaffirmed their readiness to respond strongly to any provocations.

Cruise missile launches are not immediately publicized by South Korea due to different international regulations, unlike ballistic missile tests, which are banned by UN Security Council resolutions.