North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile towards the sea on Tuesday, according to South Korea’s military. This event is part of a series of weapons demonstrations by North Korea this year. The missile, launched from Jongju near the North’s west coast, traveled about 80 kilometers (50 miles) over the Yellow Sea, a body of water separating the Korean peninsula and China.
In addition to the missile, North Korea launched other projectiles, although specifics were not provided. South Korea, in alliance with the U.S., maintains readiness to counter any provocations from the North. South Korea’s military has intensified its surveillance efforts, as confirmed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
A recent incident in April preceded this launch, where North Korea fired multiple short-range missiles with cluster bomb warheads. The country’s leader, Kim Jong Un, has been expanding its nuclear and missile capabilities since the cessation of nuclear diplomacy with former President Trump in 2019. Despite Trump’s expressed interest in resuming talks, Pyongyang has not responded and continues to push for the lifting of disarmament demands as a prerequisite for negotiations.
Kim has adopted a tough stance against South Korea, labeling it as a hostile and permanent enemy, and has worked to sever inter-Korean ties. On Tuesday, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, during a Cabinet meeting, called for the enhancement of the nation’s military. He highlighted the importance of artificial intelligence and drone capabilities and discussed potentially acquiring a nuclear-powered submarine, a topic of his discussions with Washington.
Although President Lee, who supports improved relations with North Korea, did not address the North’s threats directly, he emphasized South Korea’s need to ensure its own security. He believes demonstrating this resolve will also enhance the country’s alliance with the United States.