On September 12, 2024, North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles towards the Sea of Japan, marking its first weapons test in over two months. The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that the missiles were fired from the vicinity of Pyongyang at approximately 7:10 AM local time and traveled about 360 kilometers before landing in waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.This provocative action comes just days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to bolster the country’s nuclear capabilities. In a speech on Monday, Kim stated that North Korea would ‘redouble efforts to have its nuclear force fully prepared to combat Washington and its allies,’ citing a ‘grave threat’ from the US-led regional military bloc.The international community has swiftly condemned the missile launches. South Korea’s military described them as ‘a serious threat to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula’. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida instructed officials to ensure the safety of ships and aircraft in the region, while his government lodged a formal protest with North Korea.Experts suggest that this launch could be a prelude to more significant provocations. Park Won-gon, a professor at Ewha Womans University, warned that an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test might be next, stating, ‘North Korea has been focusing on low-power tactical missile tests, capable of carrying nukes and attacking South Korea’.The timing of these launches is particularly noteworthy, occurring just ahead of the US presidential election in November. Some analysts believe North Korea may conduct further weapons tests, including a possible nuclear test, to gain leverage in future negotiations with the United States.
Key points
- North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles towards the Sea of Japan on September 12, 2024.
- The missile launch follows Kim Jong Un’s recent pledge to strengthen North Korea’s nuclear capabilities.
- International community, including South Korea, Japan, and the US, has condemned the launches as a threat to regional stability.
- Experts warn this could be a prelude to more significant provocations, possibly including ICBM tests.
- The timing of the launches, ahead of the US presidential election, may be aimed at gaining leverage in future negotiations.
Contradictions👾While most sources report the missiles as short-range ballistic missiles, one source claimed they were intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
This discrepancy may be due to initial confusion or misreporting.
