North Korea launches cruise missile, US and South Korea conduct military exercises.

According to the KCNA news agency, Kim Jong-un inspected one of his fleets in the East China Sea, also known as the Sea of ​​Japan, and observed the crew conducting a drill to launch a "strategic cruise missile." The statement said the launch "quickly hit its target without a single mistake."

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (right) inspects a cruise missile test launch by a North Korean naval unit on August 20, 2023. Photo: KCNA

The announcement comes ahead of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, a large-scale joint military drill between South Korea and the United States that will run until August 31. North Korea views such exercises as destabilizing to the region and has warned of an "overwhelming" response.

A US Apache helicopter prepares for the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, 60 km from Seoul, on August 20, 2023. Photo: Yonhap.

The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, based on an all-out war scenario, lasts 11 days and includes various drills, such as computer-simulated command exercises, simultaneous field training, and civil defense drills.

In addition to South Korea and the United States, personnel from nine other member nations of the United Nations Command (UNC) will also participate in the exercise. These nations are Australia, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Greece, Italy, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Thailand, according to the U.S. Forces Korea.

Vehicles prepare for the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, 60 km from Seoul, on August 20, 2023. Photo: Yonhap.

The announcement of North Korea's cruise missile test came just days after U.S. President Joe Biden hosted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Camp David.

At a press conference last Friday, the leaders said they saw a "new chapter" of close trilateral security cooperation following the summit. This was the first time the leaders of the three countries had met in a separate summit.

Bui Huy (according to KCNA, AFC, Yonhap)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ong-kim-jong-un-giam-sat-vu-phong-ten-lua-hanh-trinh-truoc-cuoc-tap-tran-my--han-quoc-post261307.html