Key Takeaways:
- North Korea has fired around 250 artillery shells at South Korea’s east and west coasts.
- Missile Fired To Send ‘Grave Warning’, says North Korea’s Military Spokesperson.
LAGOS (CoinChapter.com) — The tension between North Korea and South Korea continues to escalate as the North fired artillery shells off its east and west coasts late on Tuesday after Seoul kicked off annual defense drills.
In detail, Kim Jong Un’s Korea fired hundreds of artillery shells off its eastern and western coasts as South Korea carried out drills aimed at boosting its ability to respond to Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile threats.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff disclosed that North Korea fired about 100 shells off its west coast and 150 rounds off its east coast. It said the South Korean military broadcast several messages asking North Korea to stop the firing, but there was no response.
However, South Korea’s military said the shells didn’t land in its territorial waters but fell inside the northern buffer zones. The incident marks the second time North Korea has fired shells into the buffer zones since last Friday. Moreover, it is worth noting that Kim’s regime has tested ballistic missiles seven times since September 25.
South Korea’s military said North Korea must halt provocations that undermine peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. It added that it is boosting its military readiness and in partnership with the US is monitoring Kim Jong Un’s moves.
Missile Fired To Send ‘Grave Warning’ —North Korea’s Military Spokesperson
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the North Korean People’s Army’s General Staff has issued a statement describing the latest artillery firings as a response to the South Korean artillery training that it claimed took place at a border area.
North Korea later stated that the shots were designed to send a “grave warning” to South Korea. The KPA General Staff said the South’s “war drill against the north is going on in a frantic manner.”
“The enemies should immediately stop the reckless and inciting provocations escalating the military tension in the forefront area.”
North Korean military spokesperson said.
The North Korean spokesperson also lashed out at the South Korean military for kicking off a 12-day field exercise. He described the move as a direct provocation, calling it an invasion rehearsal.
Notably, North Korea views regular military exercises between Washington and Seoul as an invasion rehearsal. Presently, South Korea’s Hoguk drills are going on and are scheduled to end on Saturday. The ongoing military drill is taking place in collaboration with the US and Japan.
Japan Sanctions Five North Korean Companies
In a related development, Japan has sanctioned five North Korean companies in response to the country’s accelerating missile tests. Tokyo noted that it will impose additional sanctions against North Korea by freezing the assets of groups involved in the development of missiles.
“We cannot tolerate North Korea’s repeated provocative actions which threaten Japan’s security and international peace and safety.”
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said.
Notably, companies to be sanctioned include Hapjanggang Trading Corporation, Korea Rousan Trading Corporation, and Sungnisan Trading Corporation. Others are Unchon Trading Corporation and the North’s Ministry of Rocket Industry, a press release from Japan’s foreign ministry disclosed.
Moreover, the US earlier sanctioned the same five companies. The US posited that the companies are boldly supporting Kim’s development of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs. Additionally, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) had also previously sanctioned Hapjanggang in 2018 for the same reason.
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