North Korea has heightened tensions by firing multiple cruise missiles off its east coast, marking its second such launch within a week, according to South Korean military officials. The latest launches follow North Korea’s test of the strategic cruise missile “Pulhwasal-3-31,” conducted just days earlier, which the regime suggests is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported detecting several missiles over waters near North Korea’s port of Sinpo, where a shipyard manufactures naval assets, including missile-firing submarines. While North Korea is not prohibited from testing cruise missiles under UN sanctions, these actions are likely to further strain relations with the United States, South Korea, and Japan.

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This recent escalation comes amidst North Korea’s series of weapons tests, including an alleged “underwater nuclear weapon system” and a solid-fueled hypersonic ballistic missile. Despite international sanctions and condemnation, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has advanced the country’s ballistic missile program, with recent developments attributed to cooperation with Russia.

The U.S., South Korea, and Japan responded to North Korea’s tests by conducting joint military exercises, which Kim has labeled as rehearsals for an invasion. In response, North Korea’s state media, KCNA, condemned these drills, warning of “merciless” consequences and asserting the country’s readiness for a “deadly war.”

The situation remains volatile, with North Korea intensifying its provocative actions and the international community closely monitoring developments. As the regime continues to make strides in missile capabilities, concerns about regional stability persist, prompting calls for diplomatic efforts to address the deepening tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The international community faces the challenge of navigating a delicate geopolitical landscape to prevent further escalation and promote peaceful resolutions.

North Korea fired multiple unidentified cruise missiles on Sunday in a move as leader Kim Jong Un ramped up his rhetoric about a potential conflict with the US and South Korea https://t.co/wJG1AOvTv7

— Bloomberg (@business) January 28, 2024