Key Takeaways:

• North Korea launches several ballistic missiles shortly after the start of US-South Korea military exercises.
• The Freedom Shield drills are viewed by North Korea as a prelude to invasion.
• South Korea is enhancing its surveillance capabilities and coordinating closely with the US following the missile launches.

SEOUL, March 10 (Reuters) - In a show of defiance, North Korea has launched multiple ballistic missiles into the sea today, shortly after the commencement of the joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea named Freedom Shield. This marks North Korea's fifth missile launch of the year and comes amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The missiles were reportedly fired from the North's southwestern Hwanghae Province.

As the drills began, North Korean officials condemned the exercises, deeming them a "dangerous provocative act" that could escalate into "physical conflict." This sentiment was echoed by a statement from the North Korean Foreign Ministry asserting that the drills increase the risk of military confrontation "by means of an accidental single shot."

In response to the missile launches, South Korea has increased its surveillance posture and is maintaining close coordination with US forces. The Freedom Shield exercises, which are slated to last until March 20, are part of a broader strategy to strengthen the military alliance against perceived threats such as North Korea.

Additionally, these military drills follow a recent incident where South Korean fighter jets mistakenly bombed a civilian area, resulting in injuries to 30 individuals. In light of this, both South Korean and US forces have suspended live-fire training until an investigation is completed. This pause comes as military cooperation between Seoul and Washington regularly invites condemnation from Pyongyang, where the government sees such moves as preparation for invasion, often followed by missile tests in response. For full coverage, see Reuters, Al Jazeera, and Channel News Asia.