On Thursday, the United States and South Korea issued a joint warning to North Korea, warning that any use of nuclear weapons would result in the end of the Kim Jong Un regime.
North Korea launched 23 unprecedented missiles in a single day on Wednesday amidst extensive joint air exercises between the United States and South Korea. Kim’s regime has also launched veiled nuclear weapons threats in recent days.
“Any nuclear attack against the United States or its allies and partners, including the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons, is unacceptable and will result in the end of the Kim regime,” South Korean Defense Minister Jong-Sup Lee said Thursday. a joint press conference with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
The United States and South Korea the military announced Thursday an extension of a joint aviation exercise. The move came in response to North Korea’s launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and two short-range missiles after the barrage on Wednesday.
NORTH KOREA SAYS OF “MORE POWERFUL” RESPONSE TO JOINT US-SOUTH KOREA MILITARY EXERCISES
In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends a meeting of the Workers’ Party of Korea in Pyongyang, North Korea on February 28, 2022.
(Korean Central News Agency / Korean News Service via AP)
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks during a briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, DC on October 27, 2022.
(AP Photo / Susan Walsh)
NORTH KOREA LAUNCHES BALLISTIC MISSILE TOWARDS ITS EASTERN WATERS, SAYS SOUTH KOREA
South Korean media reported that officials believe the Northern ICBM failed in flight but did not elaborate. Meanwhile, North Korea’s two short-range ballistic missiles fell overboard to the east. Japan initially raised alarms after monitoring suggested the ICBM would fly over the island nation, but officials later said they lost track of it mid-flight, according to Reuters.
North Korea has become increasingly aggressive since the United States and South Korea began joint military exercises in September. The country also flew 12 warplanes near the South Korean border in early October. The sortie included eight fighters and four bombers. South Korea responded with a flight of 30 warplanes, but the two groups did not commit.
The joint US and South Korea exercise, Operation Vigilant Storm, was supposed to end on Friday, but will now extend into the weekend following North Korea’s launch.
This photo provided by the North Korean government shows what a test launch of a hypersonic missile on January 11, 2022 in North Korea says.
(Korean Central News Agency / Korean News Service via AP)
South Korean Air Force F15K fighters and US Air Force F-16 fighter jets fly in formation during a joint exercise at a secret location in South Korea on October 4, 2022.
(Ministry of Defense of South Korea via AP)
The exercise sees Allied fighter jets and bombers conducting simulated attacks across South Korea 24 hours a day.
South Korea had a failed missile launch right in October. The malfunction occurred as the United States, South Korea and Japan were trying to send a message to the North Korean regime after it had sent its ballistic missile in flight to the island of Japan. US military officials made it clear that the South Korean missile warhead did not explode, but the propellant caused a large explosion and flames.
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No civilian or non-civilian injuries were reported from the incident, and South Korean officials say no buildings were damaged.
This is an evolving story. Check back soon for updates.
