By KIM TONG-HYUNG and HYUNG-JIN KIM
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea launched a suspected medium-range ballistic missile towards the sea on its east coast on Tuesday, according to South Korea's military. This is part of a series of weapons tests that have increased tensions in the area.
South Korea’s military said the missile was fired from an area near Pyongyang, North Korea's capital, but they did not confirm how far the missile traveled. Last month, North Korea claimed to have tested a solid-fuel engine for a new type of medium-range hypersonic missile, indicating an effort to expand their weapons targeting the U.S. in the Pacific, including Guam.
This is the first known launch by North Korea since March 18, when leader Kim Jong Un supervised a live-fire drill of artillery systems meant for targeting South Korea's capital.
Japan’s coast guard shared an assessment from the country’s Defense Ministry that the missile has already landed, but still urged caution for vessels passing the area. Japanese broadcaster NHK said the missile likely didn't reach the country’s exclusive economic zone.
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have risen since 2022 as Kim took advantage of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to speed up missile and other weapons testing. The United States and South Korea responded by expanding their combined training and trilateral drills involving Japan and enhancing their deterrence strategies with strategic U.S. assets.
There are concerns that North Korea could increase pressure in an election year in the United States and South Korea.
North Korea's weapons tests this year have included an intercontinental ballistic missile designed for the U.S. mainland, as well as cruise missiles and “super-large” multiple rocket launchers aimed at the Seoul capital area.
The recent launch occurred two days after North Korea reiterated its plans to launch several reconnaissance satellites this year, defying multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions. South Korea’s military said Monday there were no signs of an impending satellite launch at the North’s main launch facility in the northwest.
Kim has explained that satellites are essential for monitoring U.S. and South Korean military movements and increasing the threat of their nuclear-capable missiles. Last November, North Korea put a military spy satellite into orbit for the first time, drawing condemnations from the U.S., South Korea, Japan, and others, who see it as a cover for testing the North’s long-range missile technology. North Korea argues it has the sovereign right to launch spy satellites.
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