North Korea carried out another missile launch, firing a short-range ballistic missile toward waters off its east coast. South Korea and Japan detected the launch and stepped up surveillance. The Associated Press reports, UNN writes.
Details
The South Korean military detected the launch from the Wonsan area on North Korea’s east coast at around 5:00 p.m. (09:00 GMT), South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.
They noted that South Korean forces had stepped up surveillance and were closely coordinating their actions with the United States and Japan.
Japan’s Defense Ministry also said that North Korea had likely launched a ballistic missile, but no effects were detected in Japan or near its territory.
North Korea has focused on expanding its nuclear and missile arsenals since diplomatic talks between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump broke down in 2019. Experts say the North Korean leader seeks international recognition of the country as a nuclear state in order to push for the lifting of international economic sanctions against North Korea.
Last month, Kim Jong Un personally supervised tests of a nuclear-capable cruise missile and other weapons aboard a new 5,000-ton destroyer. After many years of prioritizing the development of ballistic missiles, Kim is increasingly focusing on naval capabilities, including the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine.
When setting five-year military goals at the Workers’ Party congress in February, Kim also called for the creation of intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of being launched from underwater.
In recent years, Kim has also strengthened his diplomatic position by expanding ties with Russia. North Korea has supplied Russia with conventional weapons and troops to support its war against Ukraine.