North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan on Monday, just days after the United States concluded joint military drills with South Korea, which Pyongyang considers provocative. The missile tests also coincided with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Seoul for a multinational democracy summit, further heightening tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
According to Japan's Defense Ministry, at least three missiles were fired, each traveling approximately 350 kilometers before landing in waters outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the missile launches, with the Yonhap News Agency reporting that the North had launched the missiles from North Hwanghae Province.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan strongly condemned the North's latest actions, stating, "This series of North Korean actions threatens the peace and security of our region and the international community and must not be tolerated." Kishida added that Japan was working closely with the United States and South Korea to analyze the launches and monitor the possibility of further provocations, including additional satellite launches.
South Korea's military identified the missiles as similar to the KN-24, a short-range ballistic missile with an estimated range of 410 kilometers, which is believed to have been exported to Russia and used on the battlefield in Ukraine. The South Korean Presidential Office stated that Secretary Blinken had reassured Seoul of the United States' commitment to defending its ally, emphasizing the policy of "extended deterrence" and the use of the full range of U.S. military capabilities, including nuclear weapons, to ensure peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
The missile launches come amid increased military activity by North Korea, with leader Kim Jong Un recently observing paratrooper drills and personally operating a new battle tank. These exercises follow large-scale joint U.S.-South Korean military drills that concluded last week.
Pyongyang has conducted numerous weapons tests this year, including launches of new strategic cruise missiles and submarine-launched weapons designed to carry small nuclear bombs. Kim has also escalated his rhetoric against the South, labeling Seoul as Pyongyang's "primary enemy" and threatening to enshrine in his country's constitution a goal of "completely occupying, subjugating and reclaiming" its southern neighbor.
Experts believe that Kim's regime has taken more aggressive steps in response to the shift in rhetoric, with missile launches now being described as "combat readiness drills" rather than mere tests. Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, commented on the timing of the latest launches, stating, "Strikingly, while South Korea conducted defense training last week alongside international partners, Kim Jong Un personally supervised several military exercises, and now while Seoul hosts a summit of democracies, North Korea fires more missiles."
Easley added that the Kim regime's actions aim to demonstrate strength to its domestic audience, suggest costs on the Korean Peninsula for Seoul's international security cooperation, and warn Washington against increasing pressure on Pyongyang.
The United States has condemned the missile launches and called on North Korea to refrain from further destabilizing acts. A State Department spokesperson emphasized that despite the provocations, the U.S. remains committed to a diplomatic approach in dealing with the North and urged Pyongyang to engage in dialogue.
