South Korea has warned that North Korea could launch a missile strike “at any given moment” – just a day before US President Donald Trump arrives on the peninsula.
An official from the South Korean navy revealed military drills would be ongoing during President Trump’s visit, while surveillance on North Korean missile tests would be increased.
President Trump will visit South Korea on Tuesday on the second leg of his first official Asian tour.
He will be looking to strengthen Washington’s alliance with Seoul at time of escalating tensions with Kim Jong-Un’s regime, which has ignored condemnation and sanctions to move forward with its nuclear programme.
Seoul admitted the country has upped their military readiness against any possible provocations from North Korea ahead of the US leader’s visit tomorrow.
According to Arirang News, a South Korea official said there were no imminent signs of North Korean provocation but the military was standing ready as Pyongyang could conduct a missile launch at any given moment.
Fears of an attack during the high-profile presidential visit has prompted South Korea to place Aegis destroyers, Green Pine radar and other surveillance assets on high alert for a possible missile launch from Kim Jong-Un’s regime.
South Korean Navy command added that the United States, South Korea and Australia launched navy drills which are “aimed at the prevention of import and export of North Korean nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, and at the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions regarding illicit and provocative actions of North Korea”.
According to the navy, the exercises will last for two days, coinciding with the long-awaited presidential visit.
Reports suggest that Mr Trump will not speak at the DMZ – the South Korean border with North Korea – during his visit, but instead will hold a speech at a nearby army base.