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North Korea Launches Back-to-Back Missiles Amid Rising Tensions with Seoul

North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, marking its fourth such launch this year. The launch occurred just a day after Pyongyang fired an unidentified projectile that appears to have failed. This escalation follows South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's expression of regret over unauthorized drone flights into North Korean territory. In response, Kim Jong-un's sister, Kim Yo-jong, issued a statement warning Seoul to stop "reckless provocation" while offering a mixed assessment of the South Korean leader.

Key Points: North Korea Fires Ballistic Missiles in Consecutive Launches

  • Fourth ballistic missile launch this year
  • Launched from Wonsan area, flew 240 km
  • Follows an unidentified projectile launch a day prior
  • Comes after South Korean President expressed regret over drone flights
2 min read

North Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles in back-to-back launch

North Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea in back-to-back launches, escalating tensions after South Korean President's remarks on drone incursions.

"Our military... maintains the capabilities and posture to respond to any provocation in an overwhelming manner. - Joint Chiefs of Staff"

Seoul, April 8

North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Wednesday, South Korea's military said, in a back-to-back launch that came after President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret over drone flights by individuals into the North.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the missiles launched from the Wonsan area in the North at around 8:50 a.m. They flew some 240 kilometres. It marked the North's fourth confirmed ballistic missile launch this year.

"Our military is closely monitoring North Korea's various movements under a robust South Korea-US combined defense posture and maintains the capabilities and posture to respond to any provocation in an overwhelming manner," the JCS said.

South Korean and US intelligence authorities have tracked the launch movement and closely shared relevant information, it added.

The launch came just a day after the North fired an unidentified projectile from the Pyongyang area Tuesday, which is currently pending analysis by South Korean and US intelligence authorities.

The projectile, believed to have been launched Tuesday morning, disappeared shortly after it was fired in an apparent failure.

The back-to-back launches came after President Lee expressed regret over drone flights by individuals into the North on Monday.

At a Cabinet meeting, Lee expressed regret over the drone flights, saying that the incidents have caused unnecessary military tension with Pyongyang. His remarks came after prosecutors last week indicted three individuals accused of flying drones into North Korea between September and January, Yonhap news agency reported.

Hours after Lee's remarks, Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of the North's leader Kim Jong-un, issued a statement that said North Korea's head of state assessed Lee as having a "frank and broad-minded" attitude.

Still, she warned Seoul "should stop any reckless provocation" against Pyongyang and "refrain from any attempt at contact, instead of paying lip service to the utmost importance of peace and security."

The North last fired multiple ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on March 14 as annual springtime military drills by South Korea and the United States were under way. State media reported the following day the North conducted a firepower strike drill involving 600-millimetre ultra-precision multiple rocket launchers.

Pyongyang has yet to release any report on both launches.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Why are individuals flying drones into North Korea? That seems incredibly reckless and is just giving them an excuse to act out. President Lee was right to express regret. Such actions by civilians can spark real military tension that affects millions.
R
Rohit P
The whole region needs stability. As an Indian, I see how these tensions can ripple out. The US-South Korea drills probably don't help either. It's a cycle of provocation. Dialogue is the only way, but it takes two to tango.
S
Sarah B
Kim Yo-jong's statement is classic North Korean diplomacy—a mix of faint praise and a stern warning. Calling Lee's attitude "frank and broad-minded" is interesting, but the threat is clear. The situation is so tense.
V
Vikram M
Respectfully, while the drone flights were wrong, the focus should be on North Korea's repeated missile tests. They are the ones breaking international norms and threatening peace. The response from South Korea and the US seems measured, but for how long?
N
Nikhil C
Fourth launch this year already? This is becoming routine news, which is the scary part. The world seems to have accepted it as North Korea's normal behavior. We cannot afford to be desensitized to ballistic missile launches. Stay strong, South Korea.

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