- South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung has been attempting to ease relations with North Korea since assuming office
- observers believe the latest missile tests, the fourth and fifth recorded this year
- A second launch later in the day covered a longer distance of more than 700 kilometres
North Korea has carried out multiple short-range ballistic missile launches, according to South Korea’s military, in what analysts see as a signal of continued tension despite recent diplomatic gestures from Seoul.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the launches came in two phases on Wednesday, a day after South Korean authorities reported detecting an unidentified projectile fired from the Pyongyang area.
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South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung has been attempting to ease relations with North Korea since assuming office last year.
Earlier this week, Seoul expressed regret over a January drone incident involving civilian aircraft crossing into the North, with Lee describing the move as irresponsible and acknowledging official involvement.
However, observers believe the latest missile tests, the fourth and fifth recorded this year, reflect Pyongyang’s rejection of those peace efforts.
South Korea’s military said the first set of missiles was launched from the Wonsan area at about 8:50 a.m., travelling roughly 240 kilometres.
A second launch later in the day covered a longer distance of more than 700 kilometres. Both were identified as short-range ballistic missiles.
Japan also confirmed the activity, with its coast guard warning vessels to remain alert after detecting what it described as a possible missile launch.
In response, South Korea’s National Security Council convened an emergency meeting, urging Pyongyang to halt further provocations.
Tensions had briefly appeared to ease after remarks from Kim Yo Jong, sister of leader Kim Jong Un, who described Seoul’s apology over the drone incident as a sensible step.
Despite this, North Korean officials later reaffirmed their hardline stance, labelling South Korea as a hostile state and dismissing interpretations of improving relations.
Experts say the missile launches underscore North Korea’s position that its approach toward the South remains unchanged.
Meanwhile, diplomatic activity in the region is set to continue, with China’s top diplomat Wang Yi scheduled to visit Pyongyang.
The trip comes ahead of a possible meeting between Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, as speculation also grows about a renewed summit between Washington and Pyongyang.
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