North Korea has launched several ballistic missiles on Wednesday, just a day after another test, according to South Korea’s military.
The back-to-back launches are dimming hopes in Seoul that tensions between the two sides might ease anytime soon.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the latest missile was fired from the Wonsan area in the afternoon, heading toward waters off the east coast. Earlier that day, multiple short-range missiles had already been launched from nearby locations, suggesting a coordinated round of tests.
The missiles travelled about 240 kilometres, with South Korean and U.S. officials now analysing the launches more closely.
A separate test on Tuesday is also believed to have involved a ballistic missile, though it appears to have failed shortly after takeoff.
In response, Seoul convened an emergency National Security Council meeting, describing the launches as a clear provocation and a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. Officials called on Pyongyang to halt further tests.
Japan said one of the missiles fell into the sea about 10 minutes after launch, noting that none entered its territorial waters.
Even so, authorities warned the tests pose a serious risk to regional stability.
This year alone, North Korea has carried out multiple missile launches, continuing its push to strengthen its weapons capabilities.
Analysts believe the latest tests may be linked to efforts to advance solid-fuel missile technology, which allows for faster deployment and makes detection more difficult.
Any sign of improved relations, however, appears to be fading. A senior North Korean official recently dismissed Seoul’s attempts at dialogue, making it clear that Pyongyang still views the South as a hostile adversary.
That stance followed earlier remarks that some had interpreted as a softer tone. But those hopes were short-lived, as North Korea quickly moved to shut down any suggestion of a shift in its position.
For now, the message from Pyongyang is unmistakable: tensions remain high, and the path to dialogue looks increasingly uncertain
