North Korea fires 3 ballistic missiles just days after flying drones into South, Seoul says

North Korea fired three ballistic missiles towards the North’s japanese waters Saturday morning, South Korea’s army mentioned.

It’s the primary missile launch by North Korea in eight days, and comes 5 days after South Korea accused Pyongyang of flying 5 drones into South Korea’s airspace for the primary time since 2017.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff mentioned in an announcement that it detected three short-range ballistic missiles launched from North Korea into the East Sea at about 8 a.m. native time Saturday.

North Korea has test-fired greater than 70 ballistic and cruise missiles this 12 months. Some consultants say North Korea is looking for to modernize its arsenal and enhance its leverage in future dealings with the United States.

South Korean warplanes and helicopters did not convey down any of the North Korean drones noticed south of the border earlier than they flew again residence or vanished from South Korean radar. One of them traveled so far as northern Seoul. That induced safety jitters amongst many individuals within the South, for which the army provided a uncommon public apology Tuesday.

The launch got here as North Korea is beneath a significant ruling get together assembly in Pyongyang to overview previous insurance policies and new coverage objectives for 2023. Some observers say North Korean chief Kim Jong Un would reaffirm his vow to broaden his nuclear arsenal and introduce subtle weapons within the identify of coping with what he calls U.S. hostility.

There have been issues that North Korea may conduct its first nuclear check in 5 years. In late October, U.S. and South Korean officers informed CBS News that Pyongyang is making ready to check an atomic weapon quickly, in what could be its first nuclear check since 2017.