Tension Between North Korea and South Korea Grows as Kim Jong-un Fires Four Ballistic Missiles

LAGOS (CoinChapter.com) — The ongoing tension in the Korean Peninsula continues to grow as North Korea on Saturday fired four short-range ballistic missiles into the sea.

In detail, Kim Jong-un’s government has launched several missiles in recent days in protest against an extended US-South Korea joint air exercise. Pyongyang has strongly protested the ‘Vigilant Storm’ air exercise and as a result shot a barrage of ballistic missiles.

The South Korean military disclosed that missiles including an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) have been fired into its territorial waters. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected the launches toward the Yellow Sea from Tongrim County in North Pyongyang Province between around 11:32 a.m. and 11:59 a.m.

The JCF revealed that the latest missiles flew 80 miles, reaching 12 miles high before landing in the western sea. This act of aggression has pushed Washington and Seoul to embark on a joint show of force in the region.

Notably, the latest drill involved the use of around 240 military aircraft. In fact, two US B-1B strategic bombers were deployed during the drills for the first time since 2017. Other notable artillery deployed during the exercise includes four F-16 bombers and four F-35A fighters.

“The drill is aimed at showing the combined defence capabilities and determination of the Republic of Korea and the U.S. To resolutely respond to any provocations from North Korea.”

The joint chiefs said.

Operation ‘Vigilant Storm’ Extended Indefinitely

Meanwhile, Pyongyang earlier demanded that the United States and South Korea halt the “provocative” air exercises. The military exercise since they began has heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula. In fact, Pyongyang has threatened to take powerful measures unless Washington ends the air drills with South Korea.

In response, South Korea said it scrambled warplanes to near the countries’ shared border. Furthermore, the joint exercise which was originally planned to run from Monday to Friday was extended given the increased tensions.

The allies also said they planned to extend indefinitely the “Vigilant Storm” military exercises. Despite North Korean demand and its recent spate of missile launches, Seoul and Washington have noted that their military campaign will go on.

North Korea Build-Up To Nuclear Warfare

In a related development, there are potent fears that North Korea could conduct its seventh nuclear test. The US called for a public United Nations Security Council meeting on Friday to address the issue.

Washington at the gathering accused Russia and China of providing “blanket protection” to North Korea from UN Security Council action. However, the US warned North Korea that using a nuclear weapon against allied nations would “result in the end of the Kim regime.” 

Furthermore, a North Korean foreign ministry spokesman in a statement has warned the US to halt its provocation. He hinted at a full-blown war if military actions are not stopped in the Korean peninsula. He said, “sustained provocation is bound to be followed by sustained counteraction.”

In recent years the Security Council has been split on how to deal with North Korea. In May China and Russia vetoed a US attempt to impose more UN sanctions in response to North Korean missile launches.