North Korea launched what appeared to be multiple short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast on Thursday, according to South Korea’s military. The test may have been conducted to evaluate the performance of various projectiles potentially intended for export.
The missiles were launched from Wonsan, North Korea’s eastern coastal city, around 8:10 a.m. (2310 GMT Wednesday) and flew up to 800 km (497 miles) before splashing down in the sea, the military said in a statement.
South Korea is closely communicating with the US and Japan to share information about the launch, it added.
Irregular Trajectory
South Korea’s Joint chiefs of Staff spokesperson Lee Sung-jun declined to comment on the exact number of missiles detected or their characteristics but said at a news briefing the launch may have been to test the performance and flight stability of missiles intended for export.
The Japanese government also said it detected a launch of a ballistic missile by North Korea, which may have flown on a irregular trajectory.
Paying No Heed
North Korea’s ballistic missile programme, despite being banned under United Nations Security Council resolutions, has continued to advance in recent years, with Pyongyang developing missiles across a wide range of capabilities.
In March, North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles while blaming the South Korean and US militaries for conducting drills it calls dangerous and provocative.
Evolving Russia-North Korea Bond
North Korea has also supplied short-range ballistic missiles and other weapons to Russia for use in the war in Ukraine, according to US and allied intelligence agencies, as well as independent researchers.
Pyongyang and Moscow have denied engaging in weapons transfers; however, reports indicate that North Korean troops have been deployed to the frontlines in Russia’s Kursk region.
In April, North Korea officially confirmed for the first time that it has deployed troops to support Russia in the ongoing war in Ukraine, following direct orders from leader Kim Jong Un.
The regime claimed its forces played a role in recapturing Russian territory previously held by Ukrainian forces.
Earlier in May, North Korea praised the construction of a new bridge linking it to Russia as a “significant step” toward deepening bilateral ties, according to a report by state media outlet KCNA.
(With inputs from Reuters)
