North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile toward the waters off its east coast on Thursday, South Korea's military announced. The launch was detected around 5 p.m. local time from North Korea's eastern coastal Wonsan area, according to a statement from South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.
In response, South Korea's military has increased its surveillance and is maintaining close coordination with the United States and Japan. Japan's Defense Ministry also reported the launch of what it described as a possible ballistic missile, noting that it did not land within or near Japanese territory.
This latest test is part of a series of weapons demonstrations by North Korea this year. Since the collapse of high-stakes nuclear diplomacy with former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2019, North Korea has prioritized expanding its nuclear and missile arsenals. Analysts suggest that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un seeks international recognition as a nuclear state to achieve the lifting of economic sanctions.
In recent months, Kim has overseen tests of various weapons, including a nuclear-capable cruise missile and other armaments aboard a new destroyer. While ballistic missile development was a focus in previous years, Kim has more recently directed attention toward naval capabilities, including the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine. During the Workers' Party congress in February, Kim outlined military objectives for the next five years, which included developing intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of underwater launches.
North Korea has also strengthened its diplomatic ties with Russia in recent years, supplying conventional weapons and troops to support Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine.