North Korea launched two more short-range ballistic missiles in the Italian night in the direction of the coast of Japan. It happens just in the hours when the American aircraft carrier Nimitz is expected in South Korea, part of joint military exercises with South Korea that began a few weeks ago.
The missiles flew about 370 kilometers before sinking into the sea outside Japan's exclusive economic zone, South Korea's military command said.
Seoul's reaction was immediate: "strong condemnation" of the launches, yet another serious provocation that violates the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council: "We remain vigilant and are ready to respond to any provocation", says a statement. A similar "strong protest" comes from Japan, which underlines the threat of these launches to the security and peace of the region and the international community.
North Korea's military showdowns have accelerated sharply in recent weeks, with several cruise missiles being launched simultaneously on Wednesday and testing a nuclear-capable underwater drone on Friday. All coinciding with the joint maneuvers of the South Korean and American armed forces: it is the operation "Freedom Shield 23", in English "Freedom Shield". Routine exercises, Washington says: but Pyongyang considers them a threat, the prelude to an invasion from the south to the north. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered his army to intensify drills and prepare for a "real war," calling for an "exponential" increase in the production of weapons, including tactical nuclear weapons.
Rising nuclear threats from Pyongyang in 2022 have prompted South Korea and Japan to mend their historic disputes and strengthen security cooperation.