(3rd LD) N. Korea fires short-range ballistic missile toward Yellow Sea: S. Korean military
(ATTN: UPDATES with more info in 5th para)
SEOUL, March 9 (Yonhap) -- North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) toward the Yellow Sea on Thursday, Seoul's military said, in the latest show of force ahead of a major South Korea-U.S. military exercise set to begin next week.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launch from the North's western port city of Nampo at 6:20 p.m. It is also looking into the possibility of the North having lobbed multiple SRBMs simultaneously from the same area, it added.
"While strengthening its monitoring and vigilance, our military is maintaining a full readiness posture in close cooperation with the United States," the JCS said in a text message sent to reporters.
The latest launch came as the allies are preparing to kick off the Freedom Shield exercise set to take place from Monday through March 23. The exercise is to proceed concurrently with the large-scale field training exercise, called the Warrior Shield.
On Tuesday, Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said the North is ready to take "overwhelming" actions against military activities by the allies.
Last month, Pyongyang warned Seoul and Washington would face "unprecedentedly" strong counteractions should they press ahead with this year's plans for combined drills, which it has decried as preparations for a war of aggression.
In apparent shows of force against possible provocations by North Korea, the U.S. has recently deployed high-profile military assets to the Korean Peninsula, including B-1B and B-52H strategic bombers as well as a nuclear-powered submarine.
The allies are also in talks for the U.S. to send a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to South Korea later this month, according to an informed source.

This undated file photo released by the Korean Central News Agency shows a North Korean missile launch. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
N. Korea's Kim holds talks with Russian defense minister on strengthening military cooperation: state media
-
Late wife of Australian veteran of Korean War laid to rest in Busan
-
Remains of another Korean War soldier identified
-
(LEAD) Fighter jet crashes in Seosan; pilot makes emergency escape
-
Fighter jet crashes in Seosan; pilot makes emergency escape
-
Late wife of Australian veteran of Korean War laid to rest in Busan
-
24 teachers caught illegally selling exam questions to private educators
-
Remains of another Korean War soldier identified
-
(LEAD) Fighter jet crashes in Seosan; pilot makes emergency escape
-
Fighter jet crashes in Seosan; pilot makes emergency escape
-
Allies vow stern measures against Russia-N. Korea arms deal
-
(LEAD) Family of 5 found dead in 3 separate locations
-
(2nd LD) U.S. finalizes national security 'guardrails' for CHIPS funding
-
(LEAD) Opposition party leader ends 24-day hunger strike for treatment
-
Arrest warrant hearing for DP leader Lee to be held Tuesday