North Korea resumes missile tests amid mounting inter-Korean tensions
The launch marks the first missile test by Pyongyang since October 14 and comes amid heightened tensions over recent mine explosions along the border.
By Fatima Saleh ·
South Korea's joint chiefs of staff detected missile launches from North Korea's eastern region on Wednesday morning. The projectiles were fired from the Wonsan area at 12:30 p.m. local time, which corresponds to 3:30 a.m. GMT.
The missiles traveled toward the Sea of Japan, a body of water that both North and South Korea refer to as the East Sea. Japan's Ministry of Defense confirmed the detection of the test. However, the Japanese agency did not specify how many projectiles were launched in the incident.
This event represents the first missile launch by North Korea since October 14. During that previous test, Pyongyang launched two distinct types of cruise missiles from submarines.
The latest launch occurs during a period of rising tension between the two Koreas. These relations have deteriorated following the explosion of mines on September 21. South Korea accused North Korea of placing the explosives on the southern side of the Military Demarcation Line. This line serves as the de facto border between the two countries.
Seoul sent a letter of protest to the United Nations Security Council last week regarding the mine incident. The missile test also follows recent statements from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. He called for a rapid transformation of his forces into an elite army.
Kim Jong-un's sister, Kim Yo-jong, recently threatened to deploy more weaponry at the border. She also indicated that the country might reactivate propaganda loudspeakers along the frontier. These actions signal an ongoing shift in military posture from Pyongyang.
Source: Latin Opinion
