North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters on Wednesday, marking its second round of launches in two days and escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, several missiles were launched from the eastern coastal city of Wonsan, travelling approximately 240 kilometres. A separate missile later flew more than 700 kilometres before landing outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
The launches came hours after a senior North Korean official issued sharp criticism of South Korea’s efforts to improve relations, underscoring Pyongyang’s continued rejection of dialogue.
Jang Kum Chol, a senior official in North Korea’s foreign ministry, described South Korea as its “most hostile enemy state” and dismissed Seoul’s diplomatic outreach as unrealistic. His remarks followed earlier statements from Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of leader Kim Jong Un, who warned of retaliation over alleged drone activity while also briefly acknowledging South Korea’s leadership.
South Korea’s military said it remains on high alert and is closely coordinating with the United States to respond to any potential provocations. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command added that the launches did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. territory or its allies.
The missile activity follows a series of recent weapons developments in North Korea, including tests of upgraded solid-fuel engines believed to be part of efforts to build more advanced intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads.
Despite intermittent signals of possible diplomatic engagement, North Korea has continued to expand its weapons program since talks with the United States stalled in 2019. The latest launches reinforce growing concerns over regional stability as Pyongyang strengthens ties with countries such as China and Russia while maintaining a confrontational stance toward Seoul and Washington.
