North Korea fires two ballistic missiles into sea days after US sub docks
North Korea has launched two ballistic missiles eastwards just days after the USA docked a nuclear submarine on the Korean peninsula.
According to Japanese and South Korean media, North Korea launched the missiles on Monday (July 24).
The missiles reportedly flew for around 248 miles before falling into the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, which divides Korea and Japan.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were fired from an area near Pyongyang.
In response, the US military said that the launches posed no immediate threat to US personnel or their allies.
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The twin launch by North Korea comes as relations on the Korean peninsula reached a low point.
In a show of strength and unity, South Korea and the USA have been engaged in several joint security activities in a bid to counter threats from the north.
The launch comes ahead of the 70th anniversary of the 1953 armistice agreement which ended hostilities, if not the war, between North and South Korea.
The anniversary, seen by North Korea as a victory, comes as the USA deploys its first nuclear submarine to the area since 1981.
The submarine, which docked in South Korea’s Busan port, was identified as the USS Kentucky.
Its arrival forms part of an escalation in tensions on the Korean peninsula.
In April, the USA agreed to periodically redeploy nuclear-armed submarines to the region to counter aggression from North Korea.
Under the agreement, the USA said it would make its defence commitments more visible by sending submarines and nuclear-armed bombers.
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The two countries also agreed to develop a Nuclear Consultative Group to debate nuclear planning.
Speaking after the first meeting of the group earlier this month, White House Indo-Pacific co-ordinator Kurt Campbell said the USS Kentucky’s visit would send a powerful signal to North Korea.
Kim Tae-hyo, Seoul’s National Security Adviser, said the USA had demonstrated “strong resolve that in case the north attacks the south with nuclear weapons, it will be met with immediate, overwhelming and decisive counter-measures, leading to the demise of its regime”.
The USS Kentucky carries around 20 Trident II D5 missiles which can deliver eight nuclear warheads to targets around 7,500 miles away.
The escalation in tensions comes just days after a US soldier allegedly defected to North Korea.
Travis King, 23, was on a civilian tour of the area when he fled across the border.
The location of Mr King is not yet known and US authorities are investigating whether or not North Korea knew he would defect.
Furthermore, North Korea has reportedly ignored the USA’s efforts to find out what happened to Mr King.
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