Ten Missiles, 250 Kilometers: North Korea Tests Range After Border Escalation
Pyongyang fired a salvo from Wonsan toward the Sea of Japan days after threatening to restart propaganda broadcasts and deploy new weapons along the DMZ.
By Luka Evans ·
North Korea launched approximately ten short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters on Thursday, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. The projectiles originated from the coastal town of Wonsan. Each missile traveled roughly 250 kilometers, or 155 miles, before impacting the sea.
The military detected the launches and confirmed that South Korea’s forces maintained readiness to repel provocations under the alliance with the United States. Japan’s Defense Ministry also reported detecting a suspected ballistic missile launch from the North.
The barrage occurred days after Pyongyang threatened to resume front-line propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts. The North also announced it would deploy new weapons along the border. Seoul proposed talks to clarify the demarcation line and prevent accidental clashes, but North Korea has not responded.
Tensions escalated following land mine blasts at the border last month that injured three South Korean soldiers. Seoul accused the North of planting mines south of the military demarcation line. Pyongyang denied responsibility and warned of retaliation if provoked. Associated Press journalists observed new North Korean artillery guns on the other side of the border earlier this week, structures that were previously hidden.
The missile tests followed a surprise weekend visit by leader Kim Jong Un to China. Kim traveled to Dandong via a newly inaugurated bridge to pay respects at a memorial marking China’s support during the 1950-53 Korean War. He met with Chinese Communist Party official Wang Huning and reaffirmed his resolve to develop bilateral cooperation. Kim has moved to bolster ties with Beijing after years of prioritizing military support for Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The latest launches are part of a series of weapons tests in recent weeks that included submarine-launched cruise missiles and hypersonic missiles. Experts suggest the tests aim to pressure the United States into making larger concessions. President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to restore diplomacy with Kim. Kim’s visit to China was his sixth since succeeding his father as leader in late 2011.
