US Military Denounces North Korea's Missile Tests, Urges Restraint
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Synopsis
On March 10, the US military criticized North Korea's ballistic missile launches, urging the nation to cease further unlawful and destabilizing actions while reaffirming the US's steadfast commitment to the security of South Korea and Japan.
Key Takeaways
- US military condemns North Korea's missile launches.
- Calls for an end to unlawful and destabilizing actions.
- Reaffirms commitments to South Korea and Japan.
- Missiles launched towards the Yellow Sea.
- Joint exercises with South Korea deemed defensive.
Washington, March 10 (NationPress) The US military has strongly criticized North Korea's recent ballistic missile launches, urging it to halt any further unlawful and destabilizing actions. The statement also reaffirmed America's ironclad security commitment to both South Korea and Japan.
The US Indo-Pacific Command made this announcement following North Korea's launch of multiple ballistic missiles into the Yellow Sea, marking its first missile activity since President Donald Trump took office in January.
"The United States condemns these actions and urges the DPRK to avoid any further unlawful and destabilizing behaviors," the command stated, using the official name for North Korea, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
"While we have determined that this incident does not pose an immediate threat to US personnel, territory, or our allies, we are closely monitoring the situation. Our commitments to defend the ROK and Japan remain ironclad," it continued. ROK stands for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
The command highlighted that the US is in close consultation with South Korea, Japan, and other regional partners regarding the launches.
The missile tests coincided with the commencement of the annual Freedom Shield exercise, which involves both South Korea and the US and is set to run for 11 days.
North Korea has historically criticized these joint exercises as rehearsals for invasion and frequently responds with weapons tests.
It has issued statements denouncing the latest drills, warning that Seoul and Washington will face a horrible consequence for their dangerous provocative acts.
Earlier on the same day, North Korea's Foreign Ministry condemned the allied exercises as a dangerous provocative act, claiming it would lead to an aggravated security crisis.
South Korea and the US have dismissed these invasion rehearsal claims, asserting that their joint drills are purely defensive.
North Korea last launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on January 14.
Just last week, Pyongyang criticized the United States for political and military provocations stemming from the visit of a US Navy aircraft carrier to the South Korean port of Busan.
Tensions between Pyongyang and Seoul have reached a significant low, with North Korea conducting a series of ballistic missile tests last year in defiance of UN sanctions.
