North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles from its eastern coastline approximately one week ago.
North Korea has fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast, marking the second missile launch this month as tensions continue to escalate. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the launch, stating that several suspected short-range ballistic missiles were fired early Wednesday toward the waters off North Korea’s east coast. Japan’s Coast Guard reported that the projectiles likely fell outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone. No further details about the launch were immediately available, and North Korea typically refrains from commenting on missile tests until the following day.
The missile launch follows a recent diplomatic visit by North Korea’s foreign minister to Russia, a key ally of Kim Jong Un’s regime. This marks her second trip to Russia in less than a year, signaling a strengthening alliance between Pyongyang and Moscow. North Korea is also preparing for a parliamentary session in October, where it is expected to formalize measures that could further heighten tensions with South Korea.
Both South Korea and the U.S. have accused Kim’s regime of supplying Russia with millions of rounds of artillery shells and ballistic missiles to support Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine. These recent missile tests may serve as a demonstration of North Korea’s military capabilities for Russian President Vladimir Putin. In return for military aid, Russia has reportedly provided economic assistance to North Korea, bolstering its struggling economy and advancing its weapons programs. While both Pyongyang and Moscow have denied these claims, evidence of arms transfers has surfaced.
The missiles launched by North Korea closely resemble rockets that experts believe Russia has deployed in its assault on Ukraine. Ukraine’s military intelligence chief recently noted that North Korean ammunition supplies to Russia have significantly impacted Ukraine’s defense efforts, as the conflict enters its third year.
Kim Jong Un’s increasingly aggressive stance toward South Korea and the U.S. comes amid rising diplomatic and military support from Russia. Kim has recently pushed to remove the concept of peaceful reunification with South Korea from North Korea’s constitution and has asserted territorial claims over a disputed maritime border in the Yellow Sea. He has also gone as far as to declare his regime’s right to “annihilate” South Korea.
North Korea’s Supreme People’s Assembly, the country’s rubber-stamp parliament, is set to convene on October 7. The assembly is expected to enact changes to the constitution, further solidifying Kim’s recent declaration to eliminate peaceful reunification with South Korea.
