North Korea fires missiles amid South Korean-American military drills, heightening Korean Peninsula tensions
8:37 AM EST, January 6, 2024
The leaders of the joint South Korean military requested urgently that Pyongyang cease actions that compromise peace on the Korean Peninsula and escalate tensions, according to a statement from the military command.
On Friday, North Korea fired over 200 artillery shells toward its western coast, near the maritime border with South Korea. In response, Seoul ordered a civilian evacuation from the nearby islands, as the South Korean army carried out exercises using live ammunition.
From December 29th until Friday, joint South Korean-American military drills were held in the border city of Pocheon, located 29 miles northeast of Seoul.
Last Thursday, North Korean state media critically observed that South Korea had started the new year with "self-destructive" actions and warned that the probability of a clash between the two countries this year would be at its peak.
South Korean-American Exercises
Joint South Korean-American maneuvers continued in the border city of Pocheon from December 29th until Friday, located 29 miles northeast of Seoul.
As reported by the military, the allies' first joint exercises this year aimed to strengthen cooperative operational capabilities against potential military threats from North Korea.
The exercises employed 110 South Korea and US weapon systems, including K1A2 tanks, A-19 fighter jets, Stryker armored vehicles, and artillery systems.
Last Thursday, North Korean state media reiterated its caution that South Korea has entered the new year with "self-destructive" actions, warning that the likelihood of a clash between the two sides is expected to be the highest this year.
