North Korea’s 17th missile test – “readiness to strike with precision”

South Korea and the US responded to North Korea’s launch of eight missiles this weekend by firing eight more missiles into waters off the east coast of the Korean peninsula. Seven were fired by South Korea and one by the US, officials said.

The move demonstrated that “even if North Korea provokes with missiles from multiple locations, (South Korea and the US have) the ability and readiness to immediately strike with precision,” according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff. The missile exchange comes as North Korea intensifies its provocations in the region amid heightened concerns that Kim Jong Un and his military are preparing to conduct a nuclear test.

North Korea’s launch over the weekend was its 17th missile test this year.