North Korea fired a barrage of approximately 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern sea on Thursday, according to South Korea's military, escalating regional tensions shortly after Pyongyang threatened to deploy new weapons and resume border propaganda broadcasts.
The missile launches were detected by South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, originating from the eastern coastal town of Wonsan. Military authorities reported that each missile flew roughly 250 kilometers (155 miles) before falling into eastern waters. In response, South Korea's armed forces emphasized their full readiness to counter any military provocations under their defense alliance with the United States. Japan's Defense Ministry also confirmed detecting a suspected ballistic missile launch from North Korea.
The military demonstration took place following a surprise weekend trip by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to China, Pyongyang's primary ally and key economic partner. Crossing a newly inaugurated bridge into the border city of Dandong, Kim paid respects at a memorial honoring Chinese support during the 1950-53 Korean War. Marking his sixth visit to China since taking power in late 2011, Kim stated that North Korea would firmly maintain its "invincible" friendship with Beijing. During the visit, he met senior Chinese Communist Party official Wang Huning to reinforce bilateral cooperation, amid recent efforts by Pyongyang to bolster ties with Beijing after prioritizing shipments of military equipment and troops to support Russia's war in Ukraine.
Friction between the two Koreas has deepened significantly since land mine explosions near the border injured three South Korean soldiers last month. Seoul attributed the mines placed south of the military demarcation line to Pyongyang and demanded a formal apology. North Korea denied responsibility for the blasts and warned of swift retaliation if provoked.
Tensions worsened further last week when North Korea announced plans to reactivate propaganda loudspeakers and place new border weapons systems on alert, citing warning shots fired by South Korean troops in border areas. Although South Korea subsequently proposed official negotiations to clarify the border and prevent accidental armed clashes, North Korea has not responded to the offer. Earlier this week, journalists stationed in a South Korean border town observed previously unseen North Korean artillery pieces positioned on the northern side of the border.
In recent years, North Korea has intensified construction along the border by placing additional land mines, barbed-wire barricades, and defensive structures, reflecting Kim's broader policy of severing ties with South Korea. Seoul reported that North Korean forces have repeatedly crossed the military demarcation line during construction work, prompting South Korean troops to fire warning shots, though Pyongyang has denied breaching the border.
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Md. Kazi Bijoy is a dedicated tech enthusiast and content creator with a passion for digital innovation. With years of experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand guides. When he isn’t writing, he explores the latest gadgets and researches emerging trends in the digital world.