North Korea fires short range projectiles into sea

Intensifying the geopolitical tensions in the Korean peninsula, North Korea has fired five unidentified short-range projectiles from a site near to Hamhung city on March 21. The incident was confirmed by the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

The launch of four projectiles had been previously reported by the JCS. “The projectiles flew about 200 kilometers towards the sea to the east of the Korean peninsula,” the JCS said in a statement. South Korea’s military has been closely tracking and monitoring the situation. It is also ensuring its readiness in the event of any attack on its territory.

The North Korean regime has fired 15 various projectiles on four occasions since early February. This is the second time that North Korea has launched projectiles in less than a week. The latest test took place following the launch of two ballistic missiles near Sukchon county, South Pyongan province, on the country’s west coast.

The US and South Korean militaries are currently conducting annual joint exercises in the region. The joint military drill is the largest ever involving 300,000 South Korean troops and at least 17,000 from the US. This has drawn sharp criticism and threats from North Korea.

It is not unusual for North Korea to launch projectiles during the US-South Korean military drills. North Korea fired 90 ballistic missiles and rockets over eight occasions in 2014 alone, according to the South Korean Defense Ministry.

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