South Korea slams North's missile launches
Iran Press TV
Mon Mar 17, 2014 6:11PM GMT
South Korean defense authorities have strongly condemned North Korea's latest short-range missile launches into the Sea of Japan as provocative.
South Korean defense officials say more than two-dozen missiles were fired off the North's east coast into the Sea of Japan late Sunday.
Defense Ministry spokesman, Kim Min-seok, said on Monday that the move was likely in response to ongoing joint US-South Korea military drills on the troubled Korean Peninsula.
'North Korea launched 25 rockets over three rounds directed towards the east from its eastern coast. Our South Korean military is considering this to be North Korea's firing demonstration, as an armed protest responding to Korea-US joint military exercises, and is additionally analyzing its specific intention,' said Kim.
He noted that North Korea must not carry on with its provocative behavior that leads to military tension and regional insecurity, adding that South Korean "army is keeping a close watch on the possibility of additional launches and is now on military readiness posture."
The developments come as tensions have been escalating between the two Koreas over the past few months.
North Korean military has frequently announced that its missile tests are solely for the purpose of self-defense.
Pyongyang said on Friday that it will also strengthen its nuclear deterrence for self-defense in the face of US threats.
JR/SS
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