North Korea launched multiple short-range missiles into the Yellow Sea. South Korea’s military has raised its alert level and is coordinating intelligence with the U.S. and Japan, while rumors circulate that President Xi Jinping may visit North Korea in late this month or early next month.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff revealed that their forces detected signals of several short-range ballistic missile launches and other weapon simulants from Jongju city, North Pyongan Province, North Korea, around 1 p.m. local time today (26 May). The missiles headed toward the Yellow Sea, the body of water separating the Korean Peninsula and China.
According to South Korea’s military report, the missiles flew about 80 kilometers. These weapons are classified as short-range ballistic missiles with a maximum range under 300 kilometers. South Korea is currently working with the United States to analyze the missiles’ specifications and flight paths in detail.
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff stated, "Our military has heightened surveillance and strict monitoring to prepare for possible additional missile launches. We are closely sharing relevant information with the United States and Japan, maintaining full combat readiness."
This missile test occurred amid widespread analysis of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s potential visit to North Korea, expected in late this month or early next month. South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency recently reported, citing government sources, that Xi is likely to visit Pyongyang within this week, following his summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Beijing earlier this month.
Although neither the Chinese nor North Korean governments have officially confirmed the visit, China remains North Korea’s main economic and political supporter, despite Pyongyang’s recent efforts to strengthen ties with Russia over the past few years.
Analysts interpret North Korea’s intensified weapons testing in recent weeks as Pyongyang’s attempt to capitalize on weakening global security norms and international pressure to reinforce its status as a "nuclear state." Additionally, North Korea has rejected South Korea’s efforts to restore relations, with leader Kim Jong Un repeatedly labeling the South Korean government as its "most hostile and antagonistic enemy."
Today’s missile launch marks North Korea’s first weapons test in 37 days and its eighth this year. Previously, on 19 April, North Korea fired multiple short-range missiles toward the East Sea (Sea of Japan). State-run media later described those as ground-to-ground missile tests to assess the characteristics and capabilities of cluster bomb warheads.
Furthermore, on 12 April, North Korea tested strategic cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles launched from the destroyer "Choe Hyon" over the Yellow Sea, with Kim Jong Un personally overseeing the operation. This demonstrates North Korea’s continued efforts to enhance its military strike capabilities.
/sourceYonhap/ AFP