North Korea launched a series of ballistic missiles toward its eastern coastal waters on Thursday, South Korean military officials reported, in the latest escalation amid ongoing border tensions between the two Koreas. According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, approximately 10 short-range ballistic missiles were fired from the North’s Wonsan area, each traveling roughly 250 kilometers (155 miles). Japan’s Defense Ministry also noted a suspected missile launch during the same period.
The missile tests come shortly after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s unexpected visit to China over the weekend. During his trip to the Chinese border city of Dandong, Kim sought to strengthen cooperation with Beijing, which remains Pyongyang’s primary ally and economic partner. The visit included a stop at a memorial recognizing China’s support during the 1950-53 Korean War.
Tensions along the heavily fortified inter-Korean border have intensified since last month’s land mine explosions that injured three South Korean soldiers. Seoul attributed the blasts to mines planted south of the military demarcation line by North Korean forces and has demanded an official apology. Pyongyang denied any involvement and issued warnings of retaliation if provoked.
In response to what it described as repeated warning shots from South Korean troops near the border, North Korea announced last week it would resume propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts along the front line and place new weapons systems on high alert. Seoul later proposed dialogue aimed at clarifying border delimitations to prevent accidental military clashes, but has yet to receive a response from Pyongyang.
Journalists visiting a South Korean border town earlier this week observed previously unseen North Korean artillery pieces positioned just across the line, highlighting the increasing militarization of the area. Over recent years, North Korea has intensified its fortifications along the border with additional mines, barbed wire, and other defense structures as part of Kim’s broader policy to sever ties with the South.
South Korean officials have accused North Korean forces of repeated incursions into South Korean territory during these fortification efforts, leading to South Korean warning shots at the border. North Korea has dismissed these claims of cross-border violations.
The recent missile launches and military movements appear to be part of Pyongyang’s broader strategy to apply pressure on the United States and South Korea amid diplomatic efforts. North Korea has accelerated weapons testing in recent weeks, possibly seeking greater concessions from Washington, where President Donald Trump has expressed openness to renewing diplomacy with Kim Jong Un.