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Updated Oct 5, 2022 - World

U.S. and South Korea fire missiles into sea after Pyongyang launch over Japan

Rebecca Falconer
An Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is fired during a joint training between the US and South Korea, on October 05, 2022 at an undisclosed location.

An Army Tactical Missile System is fired during joint U.S.-South Korean military training at an undisclosed location on Wednesday. Photo: South Korean Defense Ministry via Getty Images

The U.S. and South Korean held joint live-fire military drills in response to Pyongyang's longest-range ballistic missile test that caused alarm in Japan as it flew over the country on Tuesday.

Driving the news: The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command tweeted that the exercises were designed to "showcase combined deterrent & dynamic strike capabilities" after the North Korean military's first missile launch over Japan in five years and its fifth test in just over a week.

A South Korean F-15K fighter fires two bombs into an island target in response to North Korea's intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) launch earlier in the day on Oct. 4.
A South Korean F-15K fighter fires two Joint Direct Attack Munition precision bombs at an island target on Tuesday in response to North Korea's ballistic missile launch earlier in the day. Photo: South Korean Defense Ministry via Getty Images

Of note: Officials in Seoul apologized after a missile failed and crashed near the city of Gangneung on South Korea's east coat during one of the drills on Wednesday.

  • There were no reports of injuries, but the explosion from the malfunctioning missile caused panic among residents who were already worried about North Korean missiles, AP reports.

What we're watching: The United Nations Security Council was meeting on Wednesday at the request of the U.S. to discuss the widely condemned North Korean missile launch that prompted warnings in Japan for residents to take shelter as the weapon flew over.

  • White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at a briefing Tuesday the launch was a "clear violation" of Security Council resolutions.
  • Officials from China and Russia opposed the meeting, Reuters notes.

Editor's note: This article has been updated with a photo of an Army Tactical Missile System being fired and further context.

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