North Korea launches new ballistic missile toward sea as regional tensions escalate

On Thursday, North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile toward the waters off its east coast, marking its first military test in weeks while geopolitical stress remains acute, according to South Korea’s military.

This is the latest in a series of weapons tests as the military detected the launch from North Korea’s eastern coastal Wonsan area around 5 p.m., in line with what South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff stated in a statement.

Japan’s Defense Ministry also said that North Korea detected a possible ballistic missile but noted that there was no significant impact in or around Japan.

North Korea has been proliferating its nuclear capabilities and missile arsenals since leader Kim Jong Un’s high-stakes diplomacy with US President Donald Trump tumble in 2019.

Experts note the North Korean leader wants global recognition as a nuclear state so that he can demand the lifting of international economic sanctions on North Korea.

Earlier, Kim monitored trials of a nuclear-armed missile and other weapons aboard a new 5,000-ton destroyer. Following years of expediting ballistic research, Kim has turned his attention to naval capabilities, including the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine.

Kim has also elevated his diplomatic standing by deepening ties with Russia in recent years; while North Korea has supplied conventional weapons and troops to aid Russia’s war in Ukraine.