France Press agency
NOS . News•
North Korea conducted target exercises with fighter jets along the border with South Korea. This is what the authorities in Seoul say. South Korea responded by sending 30 fighter jets to its border region.
North Korea has deployed eight fighter jets and four bombers to the exercises. The Associated Press wrote that it was “extremely unusual” for North Korea to conduct such exercises with fighter jets near the border.
The South Korean military said there was no confrontation between the two countries’ planes. It was not reported how close the North Korean exercises were to the border.
North Korea has conducted several ballistic missile tests in recent weeks. At least six missiles were launched toward Japan within two weeks. Yesterday, it was reported that two short-range missiles were launched and landed in the Sea of Japan.
Earlier this week, Pyongyang launched a long-range missile over Japanese territory. The projectile reached an altitude of 1,000 km and ended up in the Pacific Ocean 3,000 km from the coast.
Condemned by Japan and the United States
The North Korean tests are said to have come in response to the joint military exercises of South Korea, Japan and the United States.
Japan and the United States strongly condemned North Korea’s maneuvers. “This should not be tolerated at all,” Japanese Prime Minister Kishida said. America has warned that Pyongyang will become more isolated if it continues with the tests.
North Korea, for its part, condemns the presence of the Americans who have an aircraft carrier in South Korean waters.
