S. Korea, US respond to latest DPRK missile with their own joint missile drills

South Korea and the US conducted a joint missile drill

in the Sea of Japan early on Wednesday, a day after the DPRK launched a

long-range missile.

The two countries fired barrages

of missiles including the ballistic missile Hyunmoo-2A and the Army

Tactical Missile System, a surface-to-surface missile, into waters off

the east coast of South Korea.

The aim of Wednesday's

exercise, which was held on the orders of South Korean President Moon

Jae-in, was to "send a warning message to North Korea [the DPRK],"

reported Yonhap, citing the South Korean military.

The

DPRK launched an intercontinental ballistic missile on Tuesday morning,

with state media KCNA describing it as an Independence Day "gift" for

Americans.