PYONGYANG, Aug 07 (Alliance News): North Korea has launched a short-range ballistic missile toward its eastern coast after a pause of several weeks, prompting South Korea to strengthen military surveillance and coordinate closely with the United States and Japan amid renewed regional security concerns.
According to South Korea’s military, the missile was launched at around 5:00 p.m. local time from the eastern coastal city of Wonsan on Thursday.
In a statement, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said military authorities had enhanced surveillance and maintained a heightened state of readiness in anticipation of possible additional launches, while continuing intelligence-sharing with the United States and Japan.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense also confirmed the suspected ballistic missile launch but said it had caused no immediate impact on Japanese territory or surrounding waters.
The latest launch marks another step in North Korea’s continued weapons testing programme. In recent years, Pyongyang has significantly expanded its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities despite international sanctions.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has repeatedly sought international recognition of North Korea as a nuclear-armed state, arguing that such recognition should lead to the easing of economic sanctions.
Recent reports indicate that North Korea is also accelerating the modernization of its naval capabilities, including the development of a nuclear-powered submarine and the testing of missiles capable of being deployed from large naval platforms.
Relations between North Korea and the United States have remained stalled since high-level talks between Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019 without an agreement on denuclearization.
Since then, Pyongyang has accelerated its missile and nuclear programmes while expanding strategic ties with Russia.
Western countries have accused North Korea of supplying conventional weapons and military personnel to Russia, raising further concerns over regional and global security.
