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The United States has responded to North Korea’s latest missile launch, saying it is closely consulting with its allies and partners following the development.
The US military said it was aware of the recent launch and was in close communication with regional allies, including South Korea and Japan.
According to the United States Forces Korea, preliminary assessments indicate that the latest launch does not pose an immediate threat to US personnel or territory, or to its regional allies.
The US nevertheless reaffirmed its commitment to defending the United States and its allies in the region, as tensions continue to simmer on the Korean Peninsula.
North Korea’s latest missile activity came shortly after the conclusion of a five day trilateral military exercise involving the United States, South Korea and Japan.
The exercise, known as Freedom Edge, was conducted in international waters off South Korea’s southern island of Jeju and has been strongly criticised by Pyongyang, which regards joint military drills involving Washington and Seoul as provocative.
Reports indicate that North Korea launched multiple short range ballistic missiles from its eastern coastal area toward the sea. The projectiles travelled roughly 250 kilometres before landing in the waters.
The latest development comes amid North Korea’s continued expansion of its military capabilities, including efforts to strengthen its nuclear and missile forces.
Pyongyang has repeatedly rejected calls to abandon its nuclear weapons programme, while its growing military cooperation with Russia has added another layer to the security concerns surrounding the Korean Peninsula.
For Washington, the immediate assessment is that the latest launch does not constitute a direct threat, but the United States has maintained that it will continue to monitor developments closely and coordinate with its allies.
The latest exchange underscores the fragile security situation in Northeast Asia, where military exercises by the United States and its allies are frequently followed by weapons tests from North Korea.
