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North Korea launched a missile into the sea off the east coast shortly after the arrival of a US aircraft carrier in the region.
Reuters reported Saturday that an unspecified ballistic missile was launched into the Sea of Japan from North Korea, but no further details are known about the missile’s trajectory.
The launch came when a US aircraft carrier arrived in South Korea to participate in joint exercises with South Korean forces and just days before a scheduled visit next week by Vice President Kamala Harris.
North Korea has tested more than 30 ballistic missiles so far this year, including its first ICBM launch since 2017.
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“We are aware of ballistic missile launches and are in close consultation with our allies and partners,” the US Indo-Pacific command said in a statement. “While we have assessed that this event does not pose an immediate threat to US personnel or territory, or to our allies, the missile launch highlights the destabilizing impact of illegal weapons of mass destruction programs and ballistic missiles of the DPRK. The commitments of the United States for the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remain armored “.
The USS Ronald Reagan and his accompanying strike group ships arrived at a naval base in the city of Busan ahead of joint exercises with the South Korean army on Friday.
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Strike group commander Rear Admiral Michael Donnelly told reporters on the ship that the visit was intended to establish allied relations and increase interoperability between navies.
Asked about sending a message to North Korea, Donnelly said: “We will leave the messages to the diplomats.” He added that joint exercises would ensure that allies can respond to all threats.
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Vice President Harris will visit the region next week to meet with leaders from Japan and South Korea on a trip focused on Taiwan’s security.
Reuters and Fox News’ Landon Mion contributed to this report.