Tensions Escalate: North Korea Condemns US-South Korea Military Drills

North Korea fired ballistic missiles as a response to the start of annual US-South Korea military exercises. These drills, marked by a bombing accident, have been criticized by North Korea as provocations that heighten conflict risks. The exercises resume amid heightened tensions over North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles into the sea on Monday, following the commencement of joint military drills by South Korean and US troops, which Pyongyang views as invasion rehearsals.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff detected the missile launches from Hwanghae province, marking North Korea's fifth missile event this year, without detailing their trajectory.

The exercises, called Freedom Shield, started after a temporary halt in live-fire training due to a bombing mishap, causing condemnation from nuclear-armed North Korea over perceived military provocations.

(With inputs from agencies.)