North Korea launches an ICBM, landing in Japan’s maritime boundary -

Seoul: After launching 23 missiles towards South Korea, North Korea launched six new rockets on Thursday, including an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). One of the missiles strayed from its path and landed in Japan’s special economic marine region. After that, Japan issued an evacuation order for citizens in the coastal cities. At the same time, the United States and South Korea have announced an extension of the period of ongoing joint war exercises. Infuriated by this, North Korea threatened that the United States had committed a major blunder.

North Korea has launched 23 missiles challenging the biggest-ever joint war drill, the Vigilant Storm, between the US and South Korean air forces. One of the missiles landed in the sea, just 57 kilometres away from the South Korean coast. In retaliation, South Korea deployed its fighter jets and fired missiles into the North Korean territory. International analysts have expressed disbelief over the unprecedented aggressive response of South Korea.

Within the next few hours, North Korea fired missiles again on Thursday morning. However, this time North Korea included an ICBM along with short-range missiles. The ICBM failed to attain the desired height. Japan accused the rocket crashed in the Japanese Exclusive Economic Zone. Alerted by this, Japan issued an alert for its citizens residing in the coastal cities to move to safer places.

The United States and South Korea strongly criticised the North Korean missile tests. They also announced an extension of the joint war exercise Vigilant Storm, which was to end by Friday. North Korea has accused the United States of preparing for war against North Korea through these war exercises. North Korea has threatened a strong retaliation against the United States. In this scenario, the United States and South Korea have instigated North Korea by extending the exercise period.

North Korea has reacted to this announcement from the US. Pak Jong-Chon, Secretary of the North Korean Central Committee, issued a fresh threat ‘The United States and South Korea have taken a very dangerous decision to extend the period of the war exercises. The situation in the region has slipped out of control due to this. The mistake committed by the United States and South Korea is irreversible.’