North Korea fired around 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters, escalating tensions with South Korea and the United States.
The launches came as the two allies conducted joint military exercises. The missile tests also followed US President Donald Trump’s call to substantially reduce the drills.
North Korea Launches Missiles During Military Exercises
South Korea’s military detected the launches from the Pyongyang region at around 5pm local time.
The missiles traveled toward waters off North Korea’s eastern coast, according to South Korean officials.
Seoul said it was coordinating with the United States and Japan after detecting the launches. Japan’s prime minister’s office also confirmed that it had detected a suspected missile launch.
The latest launches appear to reinforce Pyongyang’s warnings against the military exercises.
North Korea had previously criticised the drills and promised to strengthen its deterrence capabilities.
Kim Yo-jong Rejects Trump’s Call to Reduce Drills
Trump recently ordered the US military to substantially reduce its joint exercises with South Korea.
The US president cited his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un while describing the exercises as unnecessary and hostile toward Pyongyang.
However, Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, dismissed the significance of reducing the size or duration of the exercises.
“The provocative, aggressive nature of the drills won’t change even though their duration and size were reduced,” she said.
Her comments suggested that Pyongyang remains opposed to the joint military activities despite Trump’s position.
Trump Plans to Meet Kim Jong Un
Trump has continued to emphasise his relationship with Kim Jong Un.
The US president has also said he plans to meet the North Korean leader later this year. North Korea has not yet publicly responded to Trump’s reported plans for another meeting.
The possibility of renewed talks comes as tensions remain high over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.
The latest missile launches could therefore complicate efforts to improve relations between Washington and Pyongyang.
South Korea Calls for End to Missile Launches
South Korea’s National Security Council urged North Korea to stop conducting ballistic missile launches.
Seoul said such launches violate United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The latest incident also follows a proposal from South Korea’s prime minister to hold talks with North Korea. The proposed discussions would seek to formally end the Korean War.
The conflict ended with an armistice in 1953 rather than a peace treaty. Therefore, the two Koreas technically remain at war.
Rising Tensions Despite Diplomatic Signals
The missile launches highlight the difficult security environment on the Korean Peninsula.
Washington has signalled interest in reducing military tensions, while Seoul continues to seek dialogue with Pyongyang. North Korea, meanwhile, continues to strengthen its military deterrence.
The latest launches demonstrate that military tensions remain unresolved despite diplomatic efforts.
With joint exercises, missile tests and possible US-North Korea talks all developing at the same time, the Korean Peninsula remains closely watched for further developments.
