N Korea fires missiles toward sea as US warns over nukes

AP — SEOUL, South Korea As the United States military warned North Korea that using nuclear weapons "would result in the end of that regime," North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea on Friday. This was the North's first launch of ballistic weapons in two weeks. The Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul said in a statement that the South Korean military discovered the two launches on Friday about noon from the eastern coastal Tongchon area of the North. It claimed that both missiles travelled a maximum of 24 kilometres (230 miles) in height (15 miles). According to the statement, South Korea strongly condemns the launches, calling them "a grave provocation" that threatens regional stability and contravenes resolutions of the UN Security Council that forbid North Korea from engaging in any missile operations.

The launches, according to the U.S. Indo Pacific Command, showed the "destabilising consequences" of North Korea's illegitimate ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programmes. The Japanese Defense Ministry reported that it had also seen the launches and was still examining the kind of missiles employed as well as their flight data.

The foreign ministry of South Korea reported that shortly after the launches, its top nuclear envoy had separate phone conversations with his Japanese and American counterparts. It said the three reiterated their demands for North Korea to halt conducting weapons tests and resume talks while also deciding to deepen trilateral coordination on that country.

The North conducted back-to-back launches on the final day of its annual 12-day "Hoguk" field exercises, which this year also included an unknown number of American troops. The launches were the North's first ballistic missile tests since October 14. The South Korean and American air forces intend to conduct a significant training exercise the following week.

Although Seoul and Washington claim their exercises are defensive in character, North Korea views their regular drills as preparation for an assault on the North.

The "Vigilant Storm" aerial drills, which will take place next week from Monday to Friday, will feature roughly 140 South Korean and about 100 American aircraft. The aircraft include cutting-edge fighter jets like the F-35 from both countries, according to a statement from South Korea's Defense Ministry.