**South Korean Military Fires on Border Islands for First Time in 7 Years Amid North Korean Missile Failure and Ongoing Balloon Tension**
In a significant escalation of military activities, South Korea has resumed live-fire drills on its border islands for the first time in seven years. This move comes in the wake of a failed North Korean missile test and ongoing tensions involving balloons between the two Koreas.
The South Korean military conducted these drills on the border islands of Yeonpyeong and Baengnyeong on Wednesday. The exercises were a direct response to a suspected hypersonic missile test by North Korea earlier that morning, which reportedly exploded midair. This missile launch is seen as a reaction to the trilateral military drills involving the United States, South Korea, and Japan, which included the presence of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier.
The South Korean Marine Corps described the drills as “defensive” and emphasized their goal to enhance “firepower operations capabilities and the completeness of the military readiness posture through regular maritime firing exercises.” The drills featured multiple rocket launchers, anti-tank missiles, and K9 howitzers.
This resumption of live-fire drills marks a significant shift in South Korea’s military strategy. In 2018, South Korea had paused such exercises as part of an inter-Korean military accord aimed at reducing tensions. However, North Korea is accused of violating this accord approximately 3,600 times, leading South Korea to suspend the agreement earlier this month.
The reactivation of these drills is not an isolated event. Earlier this month, a U.S. supersonic B-1B Lancer bomber conducted its first live-fire bombing run on the Korean Peninsula in seven years, signaling a broader shift in military posturing in the region.
The military activities between North and South Korea are not limited to missile tests and live-fire drills. Both countries have also been engaging in a peculiar form of psychological warfare involving balloons. Since May, hundreds of balloons filled with trash and other materials have been sent from North Korea into South Korea. In response, South Korean activists have been launching balloons carrying leaflets, speakers, and other items into North Korea. These speakers have been playing an “anti-Kim Jong Un anthem,” according to CNN’s Mike Valerio, who examined one of the balloons.
South Korean activists have a long history of sending anti-Pyongyang balloons into the North. These balloons have often carried money, thumb drives, and even ChocoPie desserts, a popular South Korean snack.
The resumption of live-fire drills and the balloon warfare come amid a backdrop of high-level diplomatic activities. North Korea and Russia recently signed a new agreement aligning their strategic interests and establishing a mutual defense pact. This development has prompted South Korea to re-evaluate some of its positions, including its stance on sending weapons to Ukraine. While North Korea has been supplying Russia with shipments to fuel its war efforts, South Korea has offered its support to Ukraine indirectly.
South Korea has expressed dissatisfaction with the closer ties between Russia and North Korea. “The government clearly emphasizes that any cooperation that directly or indirectly helps North Korea increase its military power is a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and is subject to monitoring and sanctions by the international community,” stated South Korea’s presidential office.
The situation on the Korean Peninsula remains highly volatile, with both countries engaging in activities that could easily escalate into more severe confrontations. The resumption of live-fire drills by South Korea, coupled with North Korea’s missile tests and the ongoing balloon tensions, indicate a deteriorating security environment.
As both nations continue to flex their military muscles, the international community watches closely, concerned about the potential for a significant escalation. The recent activities underscore the fragile nature of peace and stability in the region, highlighting the need for continued diplomatic efforts to mitigate the risks of conflict.
Source: Yonhap News Agency, CNN
