North Korea launched over ten ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on March 14. This appears to be a show of force in response to the U.S.-South Korea joint exercise, Freedom Shield (FS).
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) announced through a press release that afternoon that North Korea had fired more than ten ballistic missiles eastward.
The missiles were launched around 1:20 p.m. (South Korean time) from the Sunan area near Pyongyang and traveled approximately 350 km (about 217 miles).
The JCS stated that it has heightened surveillance and vigilance in preparation for additional launches. They’re maintaining full readiness while closely sharing ballistic missile intelligence with the U.S. and Japan. They added that the military remains poised to respond decisively to any provocations under a robust U.S.-South Korea combined defense posture, closely monitoring various North Korean activities.
U.S. and South Korean authorities are currently analyzing the specifications, range, and intent behind North Korea’s ballistic missile launches.
The ballistic missiles fired in this instance appear similar to those launched into the East Sea in January.
Previously, on January 27, North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) into the East Sea, which also flew about 350 km (about 217 miles). At that time, Elbridge Colby, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Force Development, was on a tour of Asia.
This marks North Korea’s third ballistic missile launch this year and the first in 47 days. On March 4 and 10, North Korea also test-fired cruise missiles from the destroyer Choe Hyon Ho.
This provocation represents the highest level of firepower since the start of the U.S.-South Korea joint exercises on March 9. It is also believed to have been timed to coincide with the visit of Michael DeSombre, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, who arrived in South Korea on March 11.
In related news, South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok disclosed that he had a 20-minute meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on March 13 during a press briefing at the Korean Cultural Center in Washington, D.C. According to Kim, President Trump expressed interest in the North Korean situation.
Kim reported that Trump mentioned maintaining a good relationship with Kim Jong Un, the Chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea and North Korea’s State Affairs Commission. Trump inquired whether Kim Jong Un would be open to dialogue with the U.S. or with Trump personally.
In response, Kim described Trump as the only Western leader who has engaged in direct talks with Kim Jong Un and the sole figure with the potential to act as a peacemaker in resolving Korean Peninsula issues.
Kim stated that he shared his views on North Korea’s current situation, the prospects for U.S.-North Korea dialogue, and potential ways to improve relations. However, he refrained from disclosing specific details, stating that it’s a priority to report to the President upon returning to Korea.
He also mentioned that following his briefing, Trump instructed his aides on several points. Kim noted that it directed them to further investigate a key piece of information he shared and, based on that, to consider appropriate actions regarding relations with North Korea. However, Kim did not reveal the specifics of these directives.