North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan on Thursday, according to the South Korean military.
Confirmed by Japan
The launches occurred around 7:10 a.m. local time, and officials in South Korea, Japan, and the United States are analyzing the incident. The missile tests come at a time of heightened tensions between the Koreas, with relations at their lowest point in years, according to Digi24.
The Japanese Ministry of Defense confirmed the launch of at least one missile. Historically, North Korea has used the anniversary of its founding on September 9, 1948, as a moment to demonstrate its military strength.
This year’s missile tests follow a long-standing pattern of provocations by Pyongyang around this date. In 2016, the regime conducted its fifth nuclear test on the same day.
Escalating the Conflict
Earlier this week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivered a speech marking the 76th anniversary of the nation’s founding, reaffirming his commitment to expanding the country’s nuclear arsenal. Kim stated that this buildup is necessary to defend against threats from rival nuclear-armed states.
The missile launches are just one aspect of the escalating conflict between North and South Korea. In recent months, North Korea has deployed 250 ballistic missile launchers along its southern border.
Additionally, it has sent balloons filled with trash across the border as retaliation for South Korean activists launching propaganda balloons into the North.
In response, South Korea has resumed propaganda broadcasts along the border, suspended a military agreement aimed at reducing tensions, and conducted live-fire drills near the demilitarized zone.
