North Korea fires short-range ballistic missile Seoul says
North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile toward waters off its east coast on Thursday, August 6, South Korea's military said, marking the latest in a series of weapons tests by Pyongyang this year.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that the launch was detected around 5 pm from North Korea's eastern coastal Wonsan area. The military said it has stepped up surveillance and is coordinating closely with the United States and Japan.
Japan's Defence Ministry separately said it had also detected a suspected ballistic missile launch by North Korea, adding that there was no impact in or around Japanese territory.
North Korea has been expanding its nuclear and missile programmes since leader Kim Jong Un's high-profile diplomacy with then-US President Donald Trump broke down in 2019. Experts say Kim is seeking international recognition as a nuclear-armed state in order to press for the removal of international sanctions on North Korea.
Last month, Kim oversaw tests of a nuclear-capable cruise missile and other weapons aboard a new 5,000-tonne destroyer. After years of prioritising ballistic missile development, Kim has increasingly shifted focus toward naval capabilities, including construction of a nuclear-powered submarine.
Outlining his five-year military goals at the Workers' Party congress in February, Kim called for the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of underwater launches.
Kim has also deepened ties with Russia in recent years, with North Korea supplying conventional weapons and troops to support Moscow's war effort in Ukraine.
(Sourced though PTI)
