North Korea Fires Missiles Amid US-South Korea Military Drills

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North Korea launched multiple unidentified ballistic missiles on March 10, 2025, coinciding with the start of the joint military exercise "Freedom Shield" involving the United States and South Korea. The drills, described as defensive, have been condemned by Pyongyang as a "provocative act" that risks igniting conflict. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff reported the launch, noting that the missiles were fired from Hwanghae province into the West Sea, also known as the Yellow Sea.

The ongoing military drills run until March 20 and involve various types of training, including live exercises. Tensions have escalated on the Korean Peninsula, particularly after a recent incident in which South Korean fighter jets accidentally dropped bombs during a separate drill, injuring 31 people. Analysts suggest the significant military activities underscore the frosty relations between the two Koreas, which remain technically in a state of war since their conflict ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty. North Korea continues to react to US military presence in the region with missile tests, further complicating diplomatic efforts.

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