North Korea fires possible ballistic missile toward sea

North Korea fired approximately ten short-range ballistic missiles towards the sea on Thursday, according to South Korea's military. The incidents originated from Pyongyang, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff reported. The Japanese Prime Minister's office and the country's Coast Guard also detected the suspected launches. This event occurred hours after US President Donald Trump announced his intention to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later in the year.

The missile launches coincide with ongoing military drills between South Korea and the US, which are scheduled to conclude on Friday following Trump's directive to decrease US involvement. North Korea has consistently denounced such joint exercises as rehearsal for invasions, typically retaliating with missile launches. Trump referred to the war games as "inappropriate and hostile" in a recent statement, explaining that they are costly, primarily funded by the United States, and send a hostile message to a country that has been unthreatening and respectful during Trump's presidency.

Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of Kim Jong Un, dismissed Trump's move, asserting that the reduced duration and size of the drills will not alter their provocative and aggressive nature. She emphasized that if the US believes its recent actions constitute good faith, they will not receive the desired response.