North Korea fires ballistic missiles as US signals defence shift

North Korea fired what appeared to be ballistic missiles off its east coast days after the US released a new defence strategy signalling a reduction in American military support to deter Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions.Multiple ballistic missiles were launched on Tuesday from north of Pyongyang towards waters off its east coast, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said. Japan’s coastguard said an object suspected of being a ballistic missile likely already fell into the sea.“Our military is maintaining a firm readiness posture while closely sharing information related to North Korea’s ballistic missiles with the US and Japan,” the JCS said in a statement.It would be Pyongyang’s second ballistic missile launch of the year and comes after North Korea accused the South earlier this month of having violated its airspace with drones.The South Korean government has denied involvement in the alleged incident and launched an investigation into suspicions that the unmanned vehicle was sent by civilians.North Korea unveils ‘most powerful nuclear strategic weapon’ capable of reaching all of USNorth Korea unveils ‘most powerful nuclear strategic weapon’ capable of reaching all of USAfter the first launch in early January, the North said it had tested a hypersonic missile.