South Korea, Japan, US launch intelligence sharing system on North Korean missiles

By Anadolu staff

South Korea, Japan and the US on Tuesday launched a real-time system for sharing data on North Korean missiles.

"The three countries established the system to detect and evaluate missiles launched by North Korea in real time to ensure the safety of their citizens and enhance related capabilities," Soul-based Yonhap news agency quoted the South Korean Defense Ministry as saying.

The three countries also jointly established a multiyear plan for trilateral military drills as agreed by their defense chiefs in a meeting in November as they seek to "better counter evolving North Korean nuclear and missile threats," according to the news agency.

North Korea confirmed that it test-launched a Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) fueled by solid propellants on Monday.

Earlier, South Korea said the North fired a long-range missile into the East Sea in its fifth ICBM launch this year.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol warned that North Korea's "provocations" only bring "greater pain" to them.

Meanwhile, Seoul Tuesday indicted a navy sailor on alleged charges of "spreading pro-North Korean materials and disclosing the location of a warship during maritime operations."

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid