North Korea has reportedly launched multiple ballistic missiles towards its eastern seas, as confirmed by the South Korean and Japanese militaries, sparking fears of war across the globe.
This action escalates the already tense situation with the US and neighboring countries, following North Korea’s firing of several short-range ballistic missiles just last week.
The missile launches come after North Korea recently revealed a secretive facility designed for uranium enrichment for nuclear bombs, indicating leader Kim Jong Un’s push for a swift expansion of his nuclear weapons program.
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South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported detecting the launch of several short-range ballistic missiles from north of Pyongyang, which travelled roughly 400 kilometres (244 miles) towards the northeast.
While the joint chiefs are in close communication with the United States and Japan to analyse the launches, further flight details have not yet been provided. Japan’s defence ministry confirmed at least two launches but did not immediately provide details on the types of missiles or their range.
apan’s coast guard issued a warning to vessels to be wary of falling objects, as the missiles are believed to have fallen into waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. According to Japan’s NHK television, the missiles are thought to have landed outside of Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
The South Korean joint chiefs have condemned the launches as a provocation that “seriously threatens peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.”
A statement has disclosed that South Korean and US military forces are keeping a vigilant eye on North Korea’s movements, all the while maintaining a robust defense stance “to respond overwhelmingly to any provocation.”
North Korea has remained silent on confirming these missile tests. These follow a series of ballistic trials last week, with Kim Jong-un vowing to have his nuclear arsenal battle-ready against adversaries.
On 12 September, North Korea broadcasted that the tests involved its “super-large” 600mm multiple rocket launchers, which it boasts are capable of carrying tactical nuclear warheads.
Specialists argue that North Korea’s hefty artillery rockets are somewhat ambiguous in nature, straddling the line between conventional artillery and ballistic missiles due to their self-propulsion and guided trajectory during flight.
Since 2022, North Korea has ramped up its weapons testing program, aiming to enhance and diversify its collection of nuclear missiles aimed at the US and South Korea.
In response, the allied nations have stepped up their joint military drills and are revising their strategies for nuclear deterrence, relying on US capabilities to counteract the escalating menace from the North.
Analysts posit that Kim Jong-un’s ultimate goal is to force the United States into acknowledging North Korea as a legitimate nuclear state, thereby negotiating from a position of power to secure economic and security benefits.
Experts warn that North Korea might execute a nuclear detonation or an intercontinental missile test before the US presidential election in November.
Independent
