Air raid sirens sounded on a South Korean island and residents evacuated to underground shelters after North Korea fired more than 20 missiles Wednesday, at least one of them in its direction and landing near the rivals' tense sea border. South Korea quickly responded by launching its own missiles in the same border area.
The launches came hours after North Korea threatened to use nuclear weapons to get the U.S. and South Korea to "pay the most horrible price in history" in protest of ongoing South Korean-U.S. military drills that it views as an invasion rehearsal. The White House maintained that the United States has no hostile intent toward North Korea and vowed to work with allies to curb North Korea's nuclear ambitions.
That missile landed 26 kilometres away from the rivals' sea border. It landed in international waters off the east coast of South Korea. South Korea's military said it was the first time a North Korean missile has landed so close to the sea border since the countries' division in 1948. It said it maintains a readiness to win "an overwhelming victory" against North Korea in potential clashes.
In an emergency meeting with top security officials, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered officials to take swift unspecified steps to make North Korea face consequences for its provocation. He said he would consider the North Korean missile's landing near the border "a virtual violation of territorial waters."
Analyst Cheong Seong-Chang at the private Sejong Institute in South Korea said the danger of armed clashes between the Koreas off their western or eastern coasts is increasing. He said South Korea needs to make "proportional responses" to North Korean provocations, not "overwhelming responses," to prevent tensions from spiraling out of control and possibly leading the North to use its tactical nuclear weapons.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
South Korea issues air raid alert after North fires missilesSouth Korea sounds air raid sirens after North Korea fires three missiles into sea
Read more »
North Korea fires ballistic missile, South Korean military saysThe United States and South Korea began one of their largest combined military air drills on Monday.
Read more »
South Korean lawmakers seek tough punishments for crypto fraudThe National Assembly of South Korea is collaborating with the country’s Financial Services Commission on a bill that seeks to introduce greater oversight of crypto firms and introduce tough punishment for unfair trade practices. South Korea is ramping up crypto legislation According to a report published by The Dong-a Ilbo, authorities in South Korea are […]
Read more »
South Korea vows investigation into deadly Halloween crowd surge | CBC NewsSouth Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Monday promised a thorough investigation into the Halloween crush over the weekend that killed more than 150 people in the capital and plunged the country into a week of mourning.
Read more »
South Korea vows tough action, moving to quell anger over Halloween crushNational Police Commissioner General Yoon Hee\u002Dkeun said that crowd control at the scene was “inadequate”
Read more »