June 13, 2022 08:59
The South Korean military said North Korea fired a series of artillery shells at the weekend, days following North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he would use “force once morest force” to defend his country’s sovereignty.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul said on Sunday that the South Korean military detected “several flight paths” believed to be North Korean artillery fire between 8:07 (2307 GMT) and 11:03 a.m. Sunday. The commission reminded that Seoul is always ready for a firm military response in cooperation with its American ally.
North Korea’s official news agency usually reports any successful weapons tests within 24 hours, but it did not mention Sunday’s missile launches or any recent missile launches.
The National Security Office of the Presidency of South Korea held a meeting Sunday evening to discuss the artillery fire, and to reaffirm Seoul’s position to “respond calmly and firmly” to Pyongyang’s provocations, the presidency said.
The presidency indicated that the artillery shells fired on Sunday morning were of the “conventional” type, with a relatively low height and short range.
North Korea, one of the world’s most militarized countries, has conducted several military tests since the beginning of the year, including launching dozens of ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan. Pyongyang has stepped up efforts to improve its weapons program this year despite severe economic sanctions.
Source: agencies
