North Korea launched this Sunday several short-range ballistic missiles towards the Sea of Japanknown as the East Sea by the two Koreas, just days after the launch of other similar projectiles, amid regional tensions.
The Japanese Prime MinisterSanae Takaichi, indicated through a message published on her profile on the social networkMissiles fell outside Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
He also explained that there was summoned to the emergency team at the Crisis Management Center of the Prime Minister’s Office to collect information, and at the same time, had instructed related ministries and agencies to collect and analyze the information, provide it quickly and accurately to the public, thoroughly check the safety of aircraft, ships, etc., and “take all necessary measures to prepare for any unforeseen eventuality.”
For his part, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff indicated that it had detected that short-range ballistic missile launches were carried out from the Sinpo area, in the east of the neighboring country, and that they traveled an approximate distance of 140 kilometers, according to a statement collected by the news agency Yonhap.
“Our Armed Forces are closely monitoring the various movements of North Korea within the framework of a strong combined defense posture between South Korea and the United States Unidosand are prepared to respond to any provocation in a forceful manner,” said the South Korean Army.
Both Tokyo and Seoul denounced that these ballistic missile launches violate United Nations Security Council resolutionswhile threatening peace and security at the regional and international level. Japan presented a strong condemnationwhile South Korea urged to “immediately stop” these “provocations.”
Last week, the North Korean authorities carried out three launches other than various short-range missiles in less than two days. Following this, North Korean state media reported that the country tested, among others, a ballistic missile equipped with a cluster warhead.
Según Yonhap, estas acciones por parte de Pionyang son una demostración de fuerza previa a la visita del presidente estadounidense, Donald Trump, a Pekín, donde se reunirá con el mandatario chino, Xi Jinping, a mediados de mayo.
Recent releases
North Korea recognized on April 9 having made several missile tests in early Aprilincluding one with a ballistic missile equipped with a cluster warhead, after South Korea and Japan denounced the launches.
According to the North Korean state news agency, KCNAthe tests were carried out on the days April 6, 7 and 8 under the leadership of General Kim Jong Sik, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of North Korea.
One of the tests served to “estimate combat applications” of the Hwasongpho-11 Ka ballistic missile equipped with a cluster warhead. The weaponry “can reduce to ashes any target that covers an area of 6.5 to 7 hectares with maximum power,” the North Korean state media reported.
Furthermore, the authorities of the hermetic regime tried a “electromagnetic weapon system and carbon fiber bombs” and a mobile short-range anti-aircraft missile system.
He South Korean army reported the launch of several projectiles from North Korea into the Sea of Japan, and said a launch was also recorded from the Pyongyang area on Tuesday.
The tests took place after the first North Korean vice foreign ministerJang Kum-chol, will downplay Seoul’s recent optimism following Pyongyang’s leadership’s praise of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung for his conciliatory words on civilian drone incursions into North Korean territory between September 2025 and January 2026.
South Korea had interpreted an unusual message issued in early April by Kim Yo-jongthe influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, where she said the president believed that Lee showed an “honest and open-minded” attitude in expressing regret over the drone incursions.
The North Korean vice foreign minister, however, stressed that Kim Yo-jong’s message was not conciliatory, but rather a warning to avoid new provocations. Before Tuesday’s test, the latest release of North Korean ballistic missiles occurred on March 14 in the middle of joint military exercises between Seoul and Washington.
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