Anti-Missile Exercise

[Anchor Lead]

In preparation against any additional provocations from North Korea, South Korea, the U.S. and Japan are holding an anti-missile exercise that focuses on detecting and tracking North Korean ballistic missiles. A naval warship was deployed near the mainland of the U.S. for the first time.

[Pkg]

The navies of South Korea, the United States and Japan are conducting a two-day missile tracking exercise. The drill involves the three countries' best Aegis-class destroyers, such as the Seoae Ryu Seong Ryong from South Korea, the Stethem and Decatur from the U.S. and the Chokai from Japan. The South Korean Aegis destroyer was deployed in the East Sea, while the U.S. and Japanese destroyers were sent to waters off Japan. The Decatur is now being stationed near the mainland of the U.S. This marks the first time a missile tracking drill has been held near the continental U.S. It is presumed that the drill simulates a scenario in which a North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile could reach the U.S. mainland. In this computer-simulated exercise, the three countries' Aegis destroyers detect and track a mock North Korean ballistic missile. They also share related information through a U.S. satellite. This is the sixth missile tracking drill conducted by the three countries since last year. In October, a similar exercise was held in response to North Korea's successive firing of Hwasong-12 missiles in August and September. The ongoing exercise is attracting attention, as it is being carried out amid speculations that the North may soon fire its new submarine-launched ballistic missile, the Pukguksong-3. Meanwhile, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said that no decision has been made yet on whether a South Korea-U.S. joint military exercise, which is slated for early next year, will be postponed due to the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games.