North Korea Conducts Second Short-Range Missile Launch of the Year, According to South Korea

SEOUL—On Tuesday, North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles off its eastern coast, according to South Korea’s military, demonstrating Pyongyang’s military strength just days before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump assumes office.

The missiles covered approximately 155 miles following their launch at around 9:30 a.m. local time from Kanggye in Jagang Province, close to the border with China, as reported by Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

“We strongly condemn this launch as a blatant provocation that poses a serious threat to peace and stability on the Korean peninsula,” stated the JCS, cautioning North Korea against “misjudging” the circumstance while promising an “overwhelming response” to any further provocations.

Choi Sang-mok, Korea’s Acting President, also condemned the missile launch as a breach of United Nations Security Council resolutions and asserted that Seoul would respond firmly to North Korea’s provocations.

Seoul’s presidential office indicated that a national security council meeting was convened to assess the situation and guarantee a robust defensive stance.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command denounced the missile test, urging Pyongyang to cease its illegal and destabilizing actions.

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, acknowledged the missile test, stating that Tokyo was implementing all available measures to respond, with close cooperation alongside Washington and Seoul, including real-time missile warning data sharing.

This launch occurred approximately a week after North Korea announced the test of a new intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile—its first missile test since November 5.

The latest missile launch coincided with a visit to Seoul by Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya.

During talks held in Seoul, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Iwaya condemned North Korea’s nuclear and missile advancements and committed to reinforcing security ties.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, while in Seoul last week, advocated for further strengthening of bilateral and trilateral cooperation involving Tokyo to better counter Pyongyang’s escalating military threats.

The missile launch took place just days before Trump’s inauguration, who had previously engaged in unprecedented summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and has frequently emphasized their personal rapport.

After being briefed by the National Intelligence Service, South Korean lawmakers mentioned on Monday that Pyongyang’s recent weapons tests were partially aimed at “showing off its deterrent capabilities to the U.S. and gaining Trump’s attention,” following their commitment to the “toughest anti-U.S. countermeasures” during a significant year-end policy discussion last month.

By Hyonhee Shin