Seoul: North Korea launched several ballistic missiles from Wonsan
The armed forces of North Korea conducted a large-scale military exercise involving artillery, strike drones, cruise and ballistic missiles. According to South Korean data, Pyongyang also launched several ballistic missiles from the area of the city of Wonsan toward the Sea of Japan.
Seoul: North Korea launched several ballistic missiles from Wonsan
North Korea's armed forces conducted "mass firing" drills involving artillery and long-range missiles on September 12. This was reported on September 14 by the DPRK's state news agency, KCNA.
According to the official statement, various units of the North Korean army participated in the drills.
During the exercises, "new combat systems" were used, including various strike unmanned aerial vehicles, tactical cruise missiles, multiple launch rocket systems, and tactical ballistic missiles.
North Korean state media claimed that the weapons demonstrated the "immense destructive power of concentrated fire" and hit the designated targets with "100 percent accuracy." The location where the drills were conducted was not specified.
Meanwhile, the South Korean military stated that on September 12, several ballistic missiles were launched from the area of the North Korean city of Wonsan toward the Sea of Japan.
These launches were carried out a day after the militaries of the US, South Korea, and Japan concluded five days of joint exercises called Freedom Edge. These drills were mainly aimed at coordinating actions against potential threats that could originate from North Korea.
North Korea had previously conducted military drills on August 20, launching several missiles toward the Sea of Japan. At that time, the US and South Korean militaries were conducting their annual joint Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises.
Pyongyang's latest military activity coincided with a time when US President Donald Trump is attempting to resume dialogue with North Korea. Trump has expressed his intention to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un by the end of 2026.
Trump has also instructed to reduce the scale of the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises. He cited the high costs of the drills as the reason and described them as "hostile" toward North Korea.
Meanwhile, South Korean intelligence has stated that Kim Jong Un is directing funds obtained from military cooperation with Russia to finance a number of projects in the construction and weapons sectors.