North Korea fires missiles as US, South Korea begin joint drills

The firing also comes amid ongoing political uncertainty in Seoul, following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief imposition of martial law and his subsequent impeachment.

North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles off its west coast Monday, South Korea’s military said, as Pyongyang continues to show little sign of holding back from its missile testing following Donald Trump’s return to power.

At least two missiles were launched from the Hwanghae Province in the North’s west, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said. Other details, including the type of projectiles or the exact number of missiles launched, were not immediately available.

The latest launch comes amid joint US and South Korean military drills. In a Korean Central News Agency editorial on Friday, Pyongyang warned that the two nations would pay a “horrible” price for conducting the exercises.

The firing also comes amid ongoing political uncertainty in Seoul, following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief imposition of martial law and his subsequent impeachment. Yoon has cited the need to eradicate political support for Pyongyang among factors for his short-lived move.

Pyongyang has already fired a series of missiles this year. On Feb. 26, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a launching drill of the country’s strategic cruise missile. Earlier on Jan. 6, North Korea launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile, describing it as a test for a new hypersonic missile aimed at keeping rivals in the Pacific region in check.