North Korea Fires Multiple Short-Range Ballistic Missiles in Latest Provocation

Department of Research, Studies and International News 14-01-2025

The South Korean military reported that North Korea launched a series of short-range ballistic missiles off its eastern coast. According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the missiles were detected on Tuesday morning around 9:30 a.m.

local time (00:30 GMT). The projectiles, believed to have been launched from Jagang Province, traveled approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles) before landing in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.

South Korea’s military emphasized its preparedness for further provocations, stating that it has increased its surveillance activities to monitor North Korea closely. Additionally, the JCS confirmed that it is working in tandem with the United States and Japan, sharing intelligence and maintaining a heightened state of readiness.

In a strongly worded statement, the JCS labeled the missile launches as a direct provocation that poses a grave threat to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula. It warned Pyongyang against any miscalculations, promising an “overwhelming” response to future provocations. South Korea’s Acting President Choi Sang-mok also condemned the missile tests, highlighting that they violate United Nations Security Council resolutions prohibiting such actions. He assured that South Korea would respond decisively to safeguard regional stability.

Tuesday’s missile launches mark North Korea’s second weapons test of the year. Earlier, on January 6, Pyongyang conducted a test of a new hypersonic intermediate-range missile, which it claimed was designed to strike distant targets in the Pacific Ocean.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has openly declared his intention to expand the country’s arsenal of nuclear-capable weapons. During a high-profile political meeting at the end of last year, Kim unveiled plans to pursue an aggressive anti-U.S. policy while criticizing Washington’s strengthened security ties with Seoul and Tokyo. He characterized these alliances as an effort to establish a “nuclear military bloc” aimed at undermining his regime.

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, confirmed Tokyo’s awareness of the missile launches and expressed concern over North Korea’s actions. He noted that Japan is collaborating closely with the United States and South Korea, including the real-time exchange of missile warning data, to ensure a swift and coordinated response.

North Korea’s repeated missile tests underscore its defiance of international sanctions and its determination to bolster its military capabilities. These actions heighten tensions in the region, drawing sharp criticism from neighboring countries and the broader international community. As Pyongyang continues to advance its weapons programs, the situation on the Korean Peninsula remains precarious, with the potential for further escalation.