North Korea launches missile into sea amid US-South Korea drills
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea launched a suspected missile toward the sea on Sunday, its neighbors said, as the North ramps up testing activities in response to U.S.-South Korean military drills that it views as an invasion rehearsal.
The missile launched from the North's northwestern region flew across the country before it landed in the waters off its east coast, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.
It said South Korea's military has boosted its surveillance posture and maintains a readiness in close coordination with the United States.
The launch, if confirmed, would be the North’s third round of weapons tests since the U.S. and South Korean militaries began joint military drills last week.
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The North views the drills as a practice to launch an invasion, though the United States and South Korea have steadfastly said their training is defensive in nature. The latest U.S.-South Korean drills, which include computer simulations and field exercises, are to continue until Thursday.
The North Korean weapons recently tested include its longest-range Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile designed to strike the U.S. mainland. The North’s state media quoted leader Kim Jong Un as saying the ICBM launch was meant to "strike fear into the enemies."
The story is developing. | This version corrects that the launch, if confirmed, would be the third round of weapons tests since the U.S.-S Korea joint drills started last week (not fourth).
