North Korea launches 10 ballistic missiles towards sea during US-South Korea drills

The launches came as the United States and South Korea conduct large-scale joint military drills, which Pyongyang routinely condemns as preparations for invasion. The missiles reportedly landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.

North Korea fired 10 ballistic missiles towards the sea on Saturday, according to South Korean and Japanese authorities, in a fresh show of force as the United States and South Korea conduct joint military drills.

The projectiles were fired toward waters off North Korea’s east coast, the South Korean military said in a brief message to reporters, without providing further details. The missiles are believed to have landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone, Japan’s public broadcaster NHK reported, citing sources in the defence ministry.

The launches came as the United States and South Korea are conducting their annual springtime military exercises involving thousands of troops. The drills, which the allies describe as defensive in nature, are aimed at testing readiness against potential threats from North Korea.

North Korea has long denounced such exercises as rehearsals for an invasion and often responds with its own missile tests or military demonstrations.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the military has strengthened surveillance and remains on high alert for additional launches. Authorities are also closely sharing information with the United States and Japan.

In previous years, North Korea has carried out multiple missile or artillery salvo launches during allied exercises, often describing them as simulations of nuclear strikes against targets in South Korea.