Conflicts
South Korea: North Korea fires several missiles
Since the beginning of 2022, North Korea has significantly increased the scope of its weapons tests, including testing nuclear-capable missiles (archive image). photo
© Ahn Young-joon/AP/dpa
North Korea continues its missile launches. According to South Korea, several ballistic missiles were fired. North Korea is prohibited from testing such missiles.
After launching on Monday, the suspected short-range missiles flew eastward for about 300 kilometers from an area around the capital Pyongyang and finally fell into the sea, it was said.
South Korea’s military accused North Korea of renewed provocation over the missile launches. Chief of Staff Kim Myung Soo discussed with US Space Command Commander Stephen Whiting in Seoul how they can expand cooperation against threats from North Korea.
North Korea repeatedly tests nuclear-capable missiles
Depending on the design, ballistic missiles can also be equipped with a nuclear warhead. Despite international sanctions, North Korea continues to test nuclear-capable missiles as well as other weapon systems. According to its own information, it last tested a warhead for a strategic cruise missile and anti-aircraft missiles on Friday.
Tensions on the peninsula have increased significantly again. Since the beginning of 2022, North Korea had significantly increased the scale of its weapons tests, including testing nuclear-capable missiles, and increased rhetoric against the United States and South Korea, which Pyongyang sees as enemy states. Washington and Seoul have expanded their military cooperation, including joint exercises.
According to the South Korean Defense Ministry, the conversation between Kim and Whiting also discussed North Korea’s military use of space. Both sides emphasized that the country’s capabilities in this area are gradually increasing. This also includes the launch of reconnaissance satellites and growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, it said. There was therefore discussion about strengthening “the capabilities and systems for joint well-space operations,” it said.