North Korea Fires Three Ballistic Missiles Towards East Sea: South Korean Military

<p><strong>New Delhi:</strong> North Korea has fired three short-range ballistic missiles from an area near Pyongyang towards the East Sea on Thursday, the South Korean military said. This has been the latest among a flurry of such launches ahead of an expected visit to the region by US President Joe Biden.</p> <p>According to a report by news agency AFP, South Korea's Joint Chief of Staff said, &ldquo;Our military detected around 1829 (0929 GMT) that three short-range ballistic missiles were fired from Sunan area in Pyongyang,&rdquo; adding that the missiles were fired toward the Sea of Japan.</p> <p>This missile launch is likely the nuclear-armed country's 16th weapons test so far this year.</p> <p>As per reports, the latest launch comes after North Korea fired an apparent submarine-launched ballistic missile, on Saturday, what was thought to be an intercontinental ballistic missile, on May 4.</p> <p>It is to be noted that the missiles were launched at 6:29 pm local time on Thursday, South Korea&rsquo;s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. However, he refrained from providing any additional information on the path of the flight.</p> <p>This launch has been the third volley of ballistic missiles in May, and comes hours after leader Kim Jong Un ordered a lockdown after the country reported its first case of Covid-19.</p> <p>Earlier on Thursday, North Korea had confirmed its first-ever Covid-19 infection and declared a &lsquo;serious emergency&rsquo; with leader Kim Jong Un appearing in a mask on the television for the first time to order the nationwide lockdowns.</p> <p>Meanwhile, as per media reports, US President Joe Biden is set to meet the new South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on a trip that starts on May 20, in a bid to discuss its policy towards North Korea.</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/north-korea-fires-three-ballistic-missiles-towards-east-sea-south-korean-military-1531296