Key facts
- The U.S. military is aware of recent North Korean ballistic missile launches.
- The U.S. military is consulting with allies and partners regarding the launches.
- Current assessments indicate the launches do not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel, territory, or allies.
- The United States remains committed to defending its homeland and regional allies.
- The launches occurred during ongoing South Korea-U.S. military exercises.
The U.S. military announced on Thursday that it is aware of North Korean ballistic missile launches that occurred this week. The U.S. Pacific Command released a statement confirming the awareness and stated that they are consulting closely with allies and partners. According to current assessments by the U.S. military, these missile launches do not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, nor to its allies. The statement reaffirmed the United States' commitment to the defense of its homeland and its allies in the region.
These launches took place as South Korea and the U.S. are conducting joint military exercises, which North Korea has characterized as a rehearsal for war. The missile firings occurred despite U.S. President Donald Trump's order to scale back the ongoing allied exercise, a move seen as a conciliatory gesture toward Pyongyang as Trump seeks to resume diplomatic engagement with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.