North Korea Launches Projectile Toward East Sea
SCMP · 2 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
North Korea launched at least one unidentified projectile on Thursday toward the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said . Japan’s government and defence ministry said the object may have been a ballistic missile, before Tokyo later said there was no impact on areas around Japan .
Key Points
- South Korea’s military said the projectile was fired toward the sea east of the Korean peninsula on Thursday, without immediately identifying the weapon type .
- Japan’s defence ministry posted that something possibly a ballistic missile had been launched from North Korea, then said nearby Japanese areas faced no further impact .
- The launch followed multiple North Korean tests this year, including short-range ballistic missiles, artillery rockets and other tactical weapons aimed at strengthening military capabilities .
- North Korea’s most recently confirmed test in late June involved an upgraded 240-mm multiple-launch rocket system, tactical ballistic missiles and a 155-mm self-propelled howitzer, KCNA said .
- The firing came one day after Kim Yo Jong accused Japan of turning into a “war state” as Tokyo expands its military posture in the Pacific .
Why It Matters
The launch underscores persistent military tensions in Northeast Asia as North Korea continues weapons development and frames Japan and South Korea as hostile security rivals . It is also likely to sharpen scrutiny of Tokyo’s defence buildup and Pyongyang’s growing military alignment with Russia after the collapse of denuclearisation diplomacy with Washington in 2019 .