North Korea: According to South Korean military officials, North Korea has conducted a series of weapon tests that have prompted condemnation from Japan, South Korea, and the United States. Most recently, North Korea launched multiple cruise missiles off its east coast.
The missile launches come after North Korea tested the “Pulhwasal-3-31” strategic cruise missile on Wednesday. Pyongyang has claimed the missile is capable of carrying a nuclear weapon.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) of South Korea reported that it had seen multiple missiles over the seas close to the North Korean port of Sinpo, where Pyongyang maintains a shipyard producing naval vessels, including missile-firing submarines.
“While strengthening surveillance and vigilance, our military is cooperating closely with the United States and monitoring additional signs and activities from North Korea,” the JCS said.
In recent weeks, Pyongyang has increased the number of weapons tests it has conducted, which include the launch of an alleged “underwater nuclear weapon system” and a hypersonic ballistic missile powered by solid fuel.
Even though UN sanctions that forbid the development of more advanced ballistic technology do not prohibit North Korea from testing cruise missiles, the launches are likely to exacerbate Pyongyang’s already tense relations with Seoul, Tokyo, Washington, and other countries.
Kim has advanced his nation’s illicit ballistic missile programme, which experts claim has been strengthened by cooperation with Russia, despite international sanctions and criticism.
Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, declared earlier this month that South Korea was his nation’s “principal enemy” and that the Korean Peninsula could no longer be peacefully united.
TOP PICK | North Korea tests ‘underwater nuclear weapon system’; Report
