South Korea's attempt to conduct exercises in response to North Korean missile launches ended with a ballistic missile falling on a military base
An attempt by South Korea and the United States to demonstrate the full power of weapons in response to North Korean missile tests, almost ended in tragedy when one of the surface-to-surface missiles launched by the South Korean military fell on the territory of the military base. The South Korean news Yonhap agency with reference to the Ministry of Defense of the Republic.
The United States and South Korea have decided to launch live ballistic missiles in response to North Korea's ongoing missile tests. In total, as part of the exercises, four surface-to-ground missiles were launched towards the East Sea, which was supposed to demonstrate to Pyongyang the determination of Seoul and Washington to jointly defend the sovereignty of South Korea. However, the exercises did not go quite according to the approved plan.
During the missile launches, one of them, instead of going to the designated target, returned to the Gangneung base on the coast of the Sea of Japan, where the 18th Wing of the South Korean Air Force is stationed, resulting in a large fire. Eyewitnesses reported a glow visible from a long distance, explosions from the detonation of ammunition were heard, and alleged air defense was also reported, as traces of flying shells were visible in the sky. Some eyewitnesses of the incident expressed the opinion that the air base was attacked by North Korean troops.
At the same time, the South Korean military themselves confirm the fact that the missile fell, but they say that the missile did not explode, but simply burned out without detonation, which is why a fire broke out, which was promptly extinguished. And the roar that the locals heard was made by a rocket when it fell.
According to the Yonhap agency, which refers to the military, a Hyunmoo-2 ballistic missile fell on the base. Victims were avoided, there were no victims either, nothing is said about the destruction. The North Korean military is probably still shocked by such a "powerful" response to missile tests.
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