North Korea launched about 10 short-range ballistic missiles, one day after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a reduction in joint military exercises with South Korea.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were launched from the Pyongyang area at about 5 p.m. local time toward waters off North Korea’s east coast.
South Korea increased surveillance after the launches and continued to coordinate with the United States and Japan.
The country’s National Security Council also held an emergency meeting and called on Pyongyang to stop launching ballistic missiles, which are banned under U.N. Security Council resolutions.
The launches came after U.S. and South Korean forces announced major reductions to their 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises following Trump’s order to “substantially reduce” the drills.
Trump cited his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as one of the reasons for reducing the exercises.
Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, criticized the decision Wednesday, saying the drills would remain provocative and aggressive despite the reduction in their size and duration.
She also warned that the United States would not get the response it wanted if it viewed the move as an act of good faith.
However, Kim Yo Jong said relations between her brother and Trump were “still excellent.”
When asked Wednesday whether he would meet Kim Jong Un this year, Trump replied, “Yeah, I will.”
