North Korea launches ballistic missile
Photo: North Korea conducted another missile test amid its alliance with Russia (GettyImages)
North Korea fired a projectile toward the waters off its eastern coast, according to Kyodo News and the AP.
New launch
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the launch on Thursday morning. It was likely a ballistic missile.
It has already fallen—no impact on Japan has been reported.
This is yet another missile test conducted by Pyongyang this year. North Korea regularly demonstrates new weapons systems.
Why Kim Jong Un needs nuclear weapons
North Korea has been actively expanding its nuclear and missile arsenals since 2019, when diplomatic talks between leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump broke down.
Experts believe that the North Korean leader seeks international recognition of his country as a nuclear power. He needs this to demand the lifting of economic sanctions against North Korea.
Focusing on Navy instead of just missiles
In July, Kim Jong Un oversaw tests of a cruise missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The tests took place aboard a new destroyer with a displacement of 5,000 metric tons.
After years of prioritizing the development of ballistic missiles, the North Korean leader is increasingly focusing on naval capabilities. In particular, the country is building a nuclear-powered submarine.
In February, at the Workers' Party congress, Kim Jong Un presented the country's five-year military goals. Among them is the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of being launched from underwater.
Pyongyang's rapprochement with Kremlin
In recent years, Kim Jong Un has also strengthened his diplomatic position by expanding ties with Russia. North Korea is supplying Russia with conventional weapons and troops to support the war against Ukraine.
Earlier, acting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated at a briefing that North Korean missile units in Russia would immediately become legitimate military targets if deployed.
He also called for tougher sanctions and continued isolation of the regime in Pyongyang.
Meanwhile, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War, North Korea has already transferred more than 100 ballistic missiles and a specialized missile unit to Russia.
Analysts warn that this will allow Moscow to intensify missile strikes on Ukraine without depleting its own stockpiles.
