North Korea test-launches 2 ballistic missiles, after end of new US-South Korea-Japan drill

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea test-fired two ballistic missile Monday but one of them possibly flew abnormally, South Korea's military said, a day after the North vowed “offensive and overwhelming” responses to a new U.S. military drill with South Korea and Japan.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement the missiles were launched 10 minutes apart in a northeasterly direction from the town of Jangyon in southeastern North Korea.

It said the first missile flew 600 kilometers (370 miles) and the second missile 120 kilometers (75 miles), but didn’t say where they landed. North Korea typically test-fires missiles toward its eastern waters, but the second missile’s flight distance was too short to reach those waters.

Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson Lee Sung Joon later told a briefing the second missile suffered a possible abnormal flight during the initial stage of its flight. He said if the missile exploded, its debris would likely have scattered on the ground though no damages was immediately reported. Lee said an additional analysis of the second missile launch was under way.

South Korean media, citing unidentified South Korean military sources, reported that it was highly likely the second missile crashed in an inland area of the North. The reports said the first missile landed in the waters off the North’s eastern city of Chongjin.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff condemned the North's launches as a provocation that poses a serious threat to peace on the Korean Peninsula. It said South Korea maintains a firm readiness to repel any provocations by North Korea in conjunctions with the military alliance with the United States.

The launches came two days after South Korea, the U.S. and Japan ended their new multidomain trilateral drills in the region. In recent years, the three countries have been expanding their trilateral security partnership to better cope with North Korea’s evolving nuclear threats and China’s increasing assertiveness in the region.

The “Freedom Edge” drill was meant to increase the sophistication of previous exercises with simultaneous air and naval drills geared toward improving joint ballistic-missile defense, anti-submarine warfare, surveillance and other skills and capabilities. The three-day drill involved a U.S. aircraft carrier as well as destroyers, fighter jets and helicopters from the three countries.

On Sunday, North Korea’s Foreign Ministry issued a lengthy statement strongly denouncing the “Freedom Edge” drill, calling the U.S.-South Korea-Japan partnership an Asian version of NATO. It said the drill openly destroyed the security environment on the Korean Peninsula and contained a U.S. intention to lay siege to China and exert pressure on Russia.

The statement said North Korea will “firmly defend the sovereignty, security and interests of the state and peace in the region through offensive and overwhelming countermeasures.”

Monday’s launches were the North’s first weapons firing in five days. On Wednesday, North Korea launched what it called a multiwarhead missile in the first known test of a developmental, advanced weapon meant to defeat U.S. and South Korean missile defenses. North Korea said the launch was successful, but South Korea dismissed the North’s claim as deception to cover up a failed launch.

In recent weeks, North Korea has floated numerous trash-carrying balloons toward South Korea in what it has described as a tit-for-tat response to South Korean activists sending political leaflets via their own balloons. Last month, North Korea and Russia also struck a deal vowing mutual defense assistance if either is attacked, a major defense pact that raised worries that it could embolden Kim to launch more provocations at South Korea.

Meanwhile, North Korea opened a key ruling party meeting Friday to determine what it called “important, immediate issues” related to works to further enhance Korean-style socialism. Observers said the meeting was continuing Monday.

This photo provided Monday, July 1, 2024, by the North Korean government shows that a senior official wears lapel pins with the image of Kim Jong Un during a ruling party’s meeting in Pyongyang Sunday, June 30, 2024. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

This photo provided Sunday, June 29, 2024, by the North Korean government, North Korean leaders Kim Jong Un attends a ruling party’s meeting in Pyongyang, North Korea Friday, June 28. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, a U.S. fighter jet takes off from USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier during the Freedom Edge exercise by the U.S., Japanese and South Korea at East Sea on Friday, June 28, 2024. (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rashan Jefferson/The U.S. Navy via AP)

In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, a U.S. fighter jet prepares to take off from USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier during the Freedom Edge exercise by the U.S., Japanese and South Korea at East Sea on Friday, June 28, 2024. (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rashan Jefferson/The U.S. Navy via AP)

FILE - The Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is anchored in Busan, South Korea, on June 22, 2024. The newly-inaugurated Freedom Edge exercise is wrapping up in the East China Sea, having brought together Japanese, South Korean and American naval assets for multi-domain maneuvers for the first time.(Song Kyung-Seok/Pool Photo via AP, File)

LONDON (AP) — Millions of voters in Britain are going to the polls Thursday to choose a new House of Commons and a new government.

Voters will elect 650 lawmakers representing as many constituencies, or local areas, and the leader of the party that returns the most lawmakers will become prime minister.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives are widely expected to lose to the main opposition party, the left-of-center Labour, after 14 years in power under five different prime ministers.

The Conservatives and Labour traditionally dominate British politics under the U.K.’s “first past the post” electoral system, which makes it difficult for smaller parties to win representation in Parliament.

But also in the running are the Liberal Democrats, Reform UK, the Scottish National Party and the Greens, among others.

Here's a look at the parties, who's leading them and what they are promising:

Who's their leader? Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Sunak, 44, came to power in October 2022 when he inherited a Conservative Party and an economy in turmoil after Liz Truss 's short-lived premiership. The Oxford graduate and former Goldman Sachs hedge fund manager is Britain's first leader of color and the first Hindu to become prime minister. Sunak has stressed he is the man who steadied the ship, but critics say he lacks political judgement and is out of touch with ordinary voters.

How many seats did they win in the last election? 365

What are they promising? Delivering a stronger economy and cutting taxes by some 17 billion pounds per year. Increasing public health spending above inflation, and boosting defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030. The party says this will be paid for by savings on tax evasion and slashing welfare spending. The party also pledges to cap immigration numbers and remove some asylum-seekers to Rwanda.

Who's their leader? Keir Starmer.

The 61-year-old lawyer, a former chief prosecutor for England and Wales, is the current favorite to be Britain's next leader. A centrist and pragmatist, Starmer has worked hard to steer his party away from the more overtly socialist policies of former leader Jeremy Corbyn and quelled internal divisions. Critics call him unexciting and unambitious, but Labour has surged in popularity under his leadership.

How many seats did they win in the last election? 202

What are they promising? Promoting “wealth creation," encouraging investment and improving Britain's infrastructure like railways under a 10-year infrastructure strategy. Setting up a state-owned clean power company to boost energy security, paid for by a windfall tax on oil and gas giants. Taxing private schools to pay for thousands of new teachers in state schools. Cutting record-high public health waiting times.

Who’s their leader? Ed Davey.

Davey, 58, was first elected to Parliament in 1997. The former economics researcher served as the government's energy and climate change secretary under an uneasy Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition from 2012 to 2015. Davey became leader of the left-of-center Lib Dems in 2019 and was not a household name until this election, when he made headlines with multiple zany stunts — including bungee-jumping to urge voters to take “a leap of faith.”

How many seats did they win in the last election? 11

What are they promising? Improving Britain’s overstretched health and social care systems, including introducing free nursing care at home. Investing in renewable energy and home insulation. Clamping down on sewage-dumping water companies. Lowering the voting age to 16. Rejoining the European Union’s single market.

Who’s their leader? Nigel Farage.

Farage, a political firebrand who takes pride in being the disruptor in British politics, has posed a serious headache to the Conservatives since he announced he is running in the election. The 60-year-old populist has long divided opinion with his anti-migrant rhetoric and Euroskeptic stance. A key proponent of Brexit, Farage is capturing many disillusioned Conservative voters with his promises to cut immigration and focus on “British values.” Farage previously ran for Parliament seven times but never won.

How many seats did they win in the last election? None — though the party gained its first lawmaker this year when ex-Conservative Party deputy chair Lee Anderson defected to Reform.

What are they promising? Freezing all “nonessential immigration” and barring international students from bringing their dependents with them. Leaving the European Convention on Human Rights so that asylum-seekers can be deported without interventions from rights courts. Scrapping “net zero” goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to bring down energy bills.

Who’s their leader? John Swinney.

Swinney, 60, became the SNP’s third leader in just over a year in May. The politician has sought to bring stability to the party, which has been in turmoil since Scotland's long-serving First Minister Nicola Sturgeon abruptly stepped down last year during a campaign finance investigation that eventually led to criminal charges against her husband. Swinney has long served the party: he joined its ranks at 15 years old, and previously led the party from 2000 to 2004.

How many seats did they win in the last election? 48

What are they promising? Swinney has said that if his party wins a majority of seats in Scotland he will try to open Scottish independence negotiations with the London-based U.K. government. He wants to rejoin the European Union and the European single market. He also called for boosting public health funding, scrapping the U.K.’s Scotland-based nuclear deterrent, and an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.

Who’s their leader? Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay.

Denyer, a mechanical engineer, worked in wind energy before she joined the Greens in 2011. The 38-year-old served as a local politician for the southwestern English city of Bristol for nine years. In 2021 she was elected co-leader of the Greens along with Ramsay, also a local government politician who has experience working with environmental charities.

How many seats did they win in the last election? 1

What are they promising? Phasing out nuclear power and getting the U.K. to net zero by 2040. The Greens have pledged 24 billion pounds a year to insulate homes and 40 billion pounds a year invested in the green economy, to be paid for by a carbon tax, a new wealth tax on the very rich and an income tax hike for millions of higher earners.

FILE - Green Party co-leaders Adrian Ramsay, right, and Carla Denyer pose with supporters at their General Election Manifesto launch in Hove, England, on June 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

FILE - Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay speaks at their General Election Manifesto launch in Hove, East Sussex, England, on June 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

FILE - Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay smiles at the General Election Manifesto launch in Hove, East Sussex, England, on June 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

FILE - Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer poseS with supporters at their General Election Manifesto launch in Hove, England, Wednesday, June 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

FILE - Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer holds up a manifesto as she speaks at their General Election Manifesto launch in Hove, East Sussex, England, on June 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

FILE - Scottish First Minister and Scottish National Party leader John Swinney arrives at York University, York, England, on June 20, 2024. (Stefan Rousseau/Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP, Pool, File)

FILE - Scottish First Minister and Scottish National Party leader John Swinney speaks during the party's General Election manifesto launch at Patina in Edinburgh, Scotland, on June 19, 2024. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP, File)

FILE - Ed Davey poses for the media after he is announced as the new Liberal Democrat Leader, in London, on Aug. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

FILE - Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey, attends the General Election campaign in Carshalton, London, on June 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)

FILE - Nigel Farage, former leader of the Brexit Party and leader of the populist Reform UK party, speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2024, at the National Harbor, in Oxon Hill, Md., on Feb. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/(AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

FILE - Nigel Farage, former leader of the Brexit Party and leader of the populist Reform UK party, speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2024, at the National Harbor, in Oxon Hill, Md., on Feb. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/(AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

FILE - Nigel Farage, former leader of the Brexit Party and leader of the populist Reform UK party, speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2023, on March 3, 2023, at National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Nigel Farage, former leader of the Brexit Party and leader of the populist Reform UK party, speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2024, at the National Harbor, in Oxon Hill, Md., Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

FILE - Nigel Farage, former leader of the Brexit Party and leader of the populist Reform UK party, speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2023, on March 3, 2023, at National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

FILE - Keir Starmer, leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party, delivers a speech at a business conference in London, on Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

FILE - Britain's Labour Party leader Keir Starmer speaks to the media during an election campaign stop near Milton Keynes, England, on July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

FILE - Keir Starmer, leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party, smiles during a business conference in London, on Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

FILE - Britain's Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer speaks during the Labour Party Conference at the Brighton Centre in Brighton, England, Monday, Sept. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

FILE - Britain's Labour Party leader Keir Starmer speaks to a media outlet during an election campaign stop near Milton Keynes, England, on July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)

FILE - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks during a Conservative general election campaign event, in Edinburgh, Scotland, on June 24, 2024. (Phil Noble/Pool Photo via AP, File)

FILE - Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks during a news conference in Berlin, Germany, on April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)

FILE - Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak leaves 10 Downing Street in London, on May 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

FILE - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak looks on during his visit to Nuneaton Cricket Club as he campaigns in Nuneaton, England, on July 1, 2024. (Dan Kitwood/Pool via AP, File)

File - Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks during a news conference in Berlin, Germany, on April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)