PYONGYANG, North Korea, East Asia: North Korea missiles numbering about 10 were fired toward eastern waters on Thursday, South Korea’s military said.
The launches came from the Pyongyang region at around 5 pm local time, according to Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.
South Korea said it strengthened surveillance and coordinated information with the United States and Japan. The launches followed a reduction in the 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises.
President Donald Trump of the United States had ordered the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” the drills. Trump cited his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un while explaining the move.
Read: US Allies Warn North Korean IT Workers, Funding Pyongyang’s Weapons Programs
Kim Yo-jong, Kim’s sister and a senior North Korean official, dismissed the reduction on Wednesday. She said the drills remained provocative despite their smaller scale and duration.
Japan’s prime minister’s office also reported detecting a suspected missile launch. South Korea’s National Security Council urged Pyongyang to stop ballistic missile launches.
Read: North Korea Says Nuclear State Status Will Not Change
Such launches are prohibited under United Nations Security Council resolutions. Trump also said Wednesday that he expected to meet Kim Jong Un later this year. North Korea had not publicly confirmed such a meeting.
