US And South Korea Test Launches 8 Ballistic Missiles

SOUTH KOREA - The United States and South Korea has test launched 8 surface-to-surface missiles from Army Tactic Missile Systems (ATACMS) toward the East Sea in response to the 8 missiles that North Korea had test fired over the weekend, according to the South Korean military.

The missiles were launched off South Korea's east coast, according to the South Korean defense ministry. South Korea's news agency Yonhap reported that the South Korean military said that the launches were a demonstration of "the capability and readiness to carry out precision strike" against North Korea's missile launch sites and or command and support centers.

The South Korean and U.S. military's jointly fired 8 surface-to-surface missiles over a 10 minute period of time beginning at 4:45 a.m. on Monday in response to the 8 missiles fired by North Korea on Sunday, according to Yonhap. South Korea's Defense Ministry confirmed the launches from eight Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS).

The JCS put out a press release saying "The South Korea-U.S. combined firing of the ground-to-ground missiles demonstrated the capability and posture to launch immediate precision strikes on the origins of provocations and their command and support forces".

"Our military strongly condemns the North's series of ballistic missile provocations and seriously urges it to immediately stop acts that raise military tensions on the peninsula and add to security concerns".

South Korea had warned the north that the country's military 'provocations' will be met with "corresponding" reactions. South Korean President Yoon Seok-youl has vowed to respond 'firmly and sternly' to any provocations by North Korea after the North had launched their 8 short-range missiles.