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Japanese and South Korean officials have confirmed that North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan on Tuesday, marking the second missile test this year.
Some shit you should know before you read: Since President Biden took office, North Korea has significantly ramped up its ballistic missile test launches, showcasing a growing array of weaponry, including what they claim to be hypersonic missiles and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). This marks a stark contrast to the later years of the Trump administration, when missile tests initially slowed after President-Elect Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un formed a personal relationship. The two leaders held three high-profile meetings and attempted to broker a denuclearization deal, but negotiations ultimately collapsed without a lasting agreement. After those failed talks, North Korea resumed its weapons development and testing, and under Biden, Pyongyang has escalated its provocations, citing increased military cooperation between the US, South Korea, and Japan as a justification for expanding its nuclear arsenal.
What’s going on now: In an announcement, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported that North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles on Tuesday at approximately 9:30 AM local time from an inland area in Jagang Province. The missiles traveled about 155 miles before landing in the Sea of Japan, between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. The JCS labeled the launch as “a clear provocation that seriously threatens the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula” and emphasized its commitment to “overwhelmingly respond” to any additional provocations. The JCS also stated that South Korea is maintaining a heightened state of readiness and closely coordinating with its allies, including the United States and Japan, to monitor further activities from North Korea.
Similarly, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed the missile launches and said that Japan would take all the necessary precautions in response to the incident. He added that “no missiles have been confirmed to have landed in our territory or exclusive economic zone, and no damage has been reported.”
This all comes as North Korea and Russia have been strengthening their ties, with Pyongyang providing munitions and troops to support Moscow’s war in Ukraine in exchange for advanced military technology and assistance with its missile and satellite programs. US officials have raised concerns that North Korea has been leveraging its growing relationship with Russia to accelerate the development of its weapons systems, including ICBMs and reconnaissance satellites.
