South Korea And US Test-Fire Missiles Off East Coast Of Korean Peninsula

During a live-fire drill with the U.S., a South Korean ballistic missile malfunctioned, crashing into the ground on Wednesday, plunging the locals of a coastal city into a confused panic after already being uneasy over North Korea’s series of nuclear missile tests. Denizens of Gangneung were spooked by the sound of the blast, fearing their northern neighbors had commenced their attack on the country. The anxiety was further fueled as the South Korean government and military officials provided no explanation for the explosion until hours later.

According to the AP News, a Hyumoo-2 ballistic missile crashed into an air force base on the outskirts of Gangneung city. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said that no one was injured in the accident. The military is currently investigating the cause of the “abnormal flight” of the missile, a key weapon for the South’s preemptive and retaliatory strike should North Korea decide to attack.

Military officials said the drill was a show of strength by the South Korean-U.S. alliance, following North Korea's series of nuclear missile tests, one of which crossed over to Japanese territory on Tuesday. The recent test launch made it the North’s boldest test to date. This year alone, North Korea has made a record number of ballistic missile test launches with the country further developing its arsenal to capabilities that potentially threaten the US mainland and its allies.

CNN reported that the drills conducted by South Korea and the U.S. also test-fired four ATACMS missiles. Also known as Army Tactical Missile System, these weapons are surface-to-surface missiles that have an effective range of 320 kilometers. John Kirby, National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, said the launch was necessary to display the alliance’s retaliatory capabilities to respond to provocations from North Korea.

In an interview on “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer”, Kirby said this is not the first time the U.S. and South Korea have conducted these drills in response to provocations from the North. Kirby continues saying that the goal of the South-Korean U.S. alliance is the complete denuclearization of North Korea, however, Kim Jong Un has shown little to no interest in surrendering his country’s nuclear arsenal but is instead moving in the opposite direction, by furthering its development.