N. Korea fired two short-range missiles today, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Image via BBC)

N. Korea fires projectiles amid COVID-19

Alfonsus Adi Putra
Politics & Economic
International
Mar 29, 2020
5454
On Sunday, North Korea (N. Korea) fired to short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast. The action was deemed by its neighbor, South Korea (S. Korea) as inappropriate, especially judging that the weapon was fired amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

S. Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported that the projectiles were launched from the Wonsan area. They flew 230 km at a maximum altitude of 30 km and fell around the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea.

Releasing a statement, JCS condemned N. Korea’s action amid the global grave situation. Japan’s Defense Ministry clarified that the projectiles fell short of the Japanese waters and the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

N. Korea has not issued any statement regarding the projectile firing on Sunday. However, the country said the three other firings this month are “long-range artillery” drills. Last week, Seoul reported that N. Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles, describing them as a new “tactical guided weapon”.

The following day after Seoul’s statement, N. Korea news agency stated that the Supreme Leader of the N. Korea, Kim Jong-un, received a letter from the U.S President, Donald Trump, on how to further the bilateral ties between the two countries. The White House then confirmed the letter.

Currently, N. Korea remains as one of the countries that have not informed any COVID-19 cases. Sunday’s firing was seen as evidence that the nation is running as usual. However, the medical experts warned the nations if it keeps on hiding the case, it might hit its economy even further, given the malnutrition and poor healthcare in the country.

Source: https://bit.ly/3aqBhhf

Politics , Military , Scandal , Conflict , Asia , N.Korea , S.Korea , Japan , Missile , COVID-19 , U.S , Projectile , Kim-Jong-Un , Donald-Trump