North Korea fires ballistic missiles after condemning military drill as threat

North Korea launched ballistic missiles toward the sea Saturday, a day after the U.S., South Korea and Japan completed a trilateral military drill in response to North Korean nuclear threats.

The missiles were launched from the Wonsan area on North Korea’s eastern coast, according to South Korea’s military. Seoul said it was closely monitoring its neighbor and coordinating with the U.S. and Japan.

U.S. Pacific Command said the missiles did not pose an immediate threat to the U.S. or its allies.

“We are aware of the recent missile launch and are consulting closely with our allies and partners,” the command said in a statement . “Based on current assessments, this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies.”

The launches came after the three countries wrapped up Freedom Edge on Friday. The military exercise, which began Monday, focused on training to respond to North Korea’s nuclear missile capabilities.

North Korea had opposed the drills, and warned earlier this week that it could respond.

North Korean Defense Minister Kim Song Gi said Pyongyang was capable of taking “strong and reflective countermeasures from the standpoint of power.”

The exercise went ahead weeks after South Korean and U.S. militaries scaled back a separate annual exercise — their 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises.

President Trump ordered the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” the exercises, citing both his good relationship with North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jung Un and South Korea’s refusal to join U.S. efforts against Iran.