North Korea launched a missile into the Sea of Japan on Monday morning, days after the United States and its southern neighbor conducted provocative military exercises.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense announced that it had detected a missile launch by North Korea, and Japan’s Coast Guard announced that a missile believed to be from North Korea had fallen into the ocean.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff also confirmed the missile launch, but did not provide details such as the distance traveled.
FILE: This photo provided by the North Korean government shows what is believed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile during a test launch at Sunan International Airport in Pyongyang, North Korea. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Agency, Associated Press, File)
Later, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported that North Korea launched several more short-range ballistic missiles from North Hwanghae Province.
Sunday was North Korea’s first known missile test since it launched a cruise missile in mid-February.
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un led a series of military drills using tanks, artillery and airborne troops during the South Korea-US military exercises that concluded Thursday. However, North Korea did not conduct missile tests during the rival training exercise.
A television screen showing a file image of a North Korean missile launch is seen during a news program at Seoul Station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Dec. 18. (AP/Ahn Young-joon)
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high following a barrage of missile tests by North Korea since 2022. Many of the tests involved nuclear-capable missiles designed to attack South Korea and the U.S. mainland. The U.S. and South Korean militaries have responded by expanding training. Exercises.
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Experts say North Korea likely believes that increasing its weapons stockpile will give it more influence in future diplomacy with the United States. They argue that North Korea would hope to win broad sanctions relief while maintaining its nuclear arsenal.
