On Friday, North Korea conducted multiple short-range ballistic missile tests off its east coast, according to South Korea’s military. The launches, which originated from Wonsan on the east coast, mark the latest in a series of weapon tests by Pyongyang in recent months.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported the missile firings, while Japan’s NHK noted the launch of a short-range missile, confirming its fall, citing a government official.
North Korea has been actively testing various missile types, including ballistic, cruise, and tactical rockets, citing efforts to enhance its defensive capabilities.
Earlier the same day, Kim Jong Un’s influential sister stated that North Korea’s tactical weapons were solely for deterring South Korean military aggression, refuting claims of weapon exports from Pyongyang.
Amid these developments, allegations have arisen that North Korea is supplying weapons to Russia for use in its conflict with Ukraine. Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied these accusations.
These missile tests coincide with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Harbin, China, where he and Chinese President Xi Jinping criticized what they termed as “military intimidation” by Washington and its allies against North Korea during a meeting in Beijing on Thursday.
In response to the escalating tensions, South Korea’s air force reported joint exercises involving US and South Korean stealth fighters in the central region on Thursday, aimed at enhancing offensive and defensive capabilities.
