North Korea sent out a ballistic missile on Monday, according to Seoul’s military. This happened while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was visiting South Korea to meet top officials and attend a democracy summit.
Blinken is currently in Seoul for the third Summit for Democracy, which is an initiative of US President Joe Biden. South Korea is hosting the summit this week. Blinken is also set to have a meeting with his Korean counterpart to discuss matters on the sidelines.
Washington and Seoul, who are major security allies, recently finished one of their important annual joint military training exercises. This prompted angry responses and counter drills from nuclear-armed Pyongyang.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that North Korea fired an unspecified ballistic missile towards the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.
Japan also confirmed the launch, with the Japan Coast Guard reporting that the objects seemed to have already fallen.
The launch occurred shortly after the annual Freedom Shield, which this year involved double the number of troops, ended on Thursday. The 11 days of joint exercises were aimed at bolstering South Korean and American deterrence against the North’s nuclear and missile threats.
Earlier this month, Pyongyang warned that Seoul and Washington would face serious consequences due to the Freedom Shield drills. It was later announced that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had guided an artillery unit capable of striking the South Korean capital.
The nuclear-armed North has consistently criticized joint US-South Korea military exercises, describing them as rehearsals for an invasion. In response to previous joint exercises of this nature, it has conducted weapons tests in the past.
Monday’s ballistic missile test is the North’s second this year, following the launch of one with a maneuverable hypersonic warhead on January 14.
Blinken arrived on Sunday afternoon ahead of the democracy summit, which will take place from March 18 to 20. The summit will bring together government officials, NGOs, and civil society members.
– Enhancing deterrence –
Seoul is one of Washington’s crucial regional allies, and the United States has stationed around 27,000 American soldiers in the South to aid in protecting it from the nuclear-armed North.
Seoul’s conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol has strengthened relations with Washington and has worked towards resolving historical issues with former colonial power Japan in order to better defend against Pyongyang’s threats.
This year, Pyongyang has declared South Korea as its main enemy, dismantled agencies focused on reunification and outreach, and threatened war over even the smallest territorial violation.
According to the ministry, Blinken will hold discussions with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae Yul to explore ways to strengthen the alliance. They will also consider how to enhance their so-called “extended deterrence” against North Korea.
The democracy summit has faced criticism for its selective invitation list, which excludes democratic countries such as Thailand and Turkey.
After Seoul, Blinken will travel to the Philippines to reaffirm the United States' unwavering commitment to the Philippine ally, as stated by State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
The US is doubling its efforts to enhance long-standing relationships with regional allies like Manila, in order to balance out China.
AFP
