North Korea continues streak of weapons tests with multiple ballistic missile launches
North Korea on Monday fired multiple ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters, South Korea's military said, adding to a recent streak of weapons demonstrations that has heightened tensions during a prolonged freeze in diplomacy.
TL;DR
- North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles from the Pyongyang area towards its eastern waters.
- South Korea's military detected the launches, which occurred during a period of heightened tensions and frozen diplomacy.
- Japan's Defense Ministry detected at least two missiles that landed outside its exclusive economic zone.
- The launch follows South Korea's successful flight test of its first domestically developed hypersonic weapon.
- North Korea has been increasing weapons testing to expand its nuclear-capable systems.
- Tensions were worsened by recent land mine explosions near the inter-Korean border, which South Korea attributes to North Korea.
- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has halted diplomacy and cooperation with South Korea, viewing it as a permanent enemy.
- Kim has rebuffed U.S. offers to revive diplomacy, demanding an end to 'hostile' policies and denuclearization demands.
- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung favors engagement with North Korea and strengthening conventional defense capabilities.