In response to North Korea’s latest missile launches, South Korea has fired its own missile, escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The military move highlights growing regional instability.
South Korea conducted a test launch of a Hyunmoo-II ballistic missile on Thursday, according to reports from the nation’s media that referenced military sources. Seoul announced that its recent live-fire drill served as a cautionary measure against any possible “provocation” by North Korea.
According to Yonhap news agency, citing South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, a short-range ballistic missile struck a target in the Yellow Sea on Friday. This target was intended to simulate a North Korean launch pad during the exercise.
“Our military showcased its firm determination to address any provocations from North Korea, highlighting both our precision strike capabilities and readiness,” stated military officials in Seoul, as reported by the media outlet.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff vowed to deliver an “overwhelming” response to any aggressive actions by the neighboring country. Additionally, Seoul’s military stated that it would persist in closely monitoring military activities in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea alongside the United States.
The launch on Thursday occurred just days after North Korea had launched several short-range ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan, referred to as the East Sea in the Koreas.
According to its leader Kim Jong-un, who watched the launch, Pyongyang test-fired a Hwasongpho-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) last Thursday as a warning to any potential aggressors.
The DPRK’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that last week’s launch “improved the recent records of the strategic missile capability of the country.”
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Although Pyongyang frequently carries out missile tests, ICBM launches are relatively uncommon; the last one occurred in December.
During a press conference last Thursday, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi remarked on the Hwasongpho-19 launch. He estimated that “depending on the weight of the warhead, [the missile’s] range could exceed 15,000km,” indicating its potential to reach the US mainland.
In recent decades, the DPRK has faced numerous UN Security Council resolutions condemning its missile program. Following last week’s ICBM test, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres denounced it as a “clear violation” of those resolutions by Pyongyang.
Kim Yo-jong, a high-ranking North Korean official and sister of the nation’s leader, accused the UN Secretary-General of bias. She claimed that Guterres “has consistently remained silent regarding the US and its allies’ anti-DPRK rhetoric and actions… [which have] been primarily responsible for increasing military tensions” on the Korean Peninsula. Furthermore, she criticized him for focusing solely on challenging North Korea’s right to self-defense.
North Korea has consistently criticized the joint military exercises conducted by the US and South Korea, labeling them as preparation for potential aggression. In recent months, tensions between Seoul and Pyongyang have escalated due to allegations of garbage and propaganda leaflets being sent across the border using drones and hot air balloons.
The European Union and Japan finalized a new security and defense agreement last week. Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, applauded the deal as a “historical and very timely step.” He emphasized that this partnership is unprecedented between the EU and an Asia-Pacific nation. The main objective of this agreement is to enhance collaboration in military equipment development and conduct joint military exercises.
