North Korea fired multiple suspected ballistic missiles on Thursday, just days after leader Kim Jong Un\u2019s space program was dealt a blow when a rocket blew up soon after liftoff.<\/p>\n
South Korea\u2019s military detected about a dozen projectiles presumed to be short-range ballistic missiles launched from an area near Pyongyang\u2019s main international airport toward the east from around 06:14 a.m., the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a text message to reporters. <\/p>\n
\u201cOur military has strengthened surveillance and vigilance in preparation for additional launches,\u201d the message said, adding South Korea is maintaining full readiness by closely sharing information related to the ballistic missiles with the U.S. and Japanese authorities.<\/p>\n
Japan\u2019s Coast Guard said what appears to have been a ballistic missile has fallen. The projectile likely fell outside of Japan\u2019s exclusive economic zone, national broadcaster NHK reported.<\/p>\n
North Korea typically does not comment on missile launches until the day after they take place.<\/p>\n
This is the sixth test of ballistic missiles from Kim\u2019s regime this year. North Korea\u2019s last ballistic missile launch took place about two weeks ago when it fired multiple short-range rockets. Just prior to that launch, Kim Yo Jong, the sister of the leader, blasted accusations that North Korea had been sending munitions to Russia made by the U.S. and several of its partners.<\/p>\n
Kim Jong Un has pledged to press ahead with his space program after the rocket on a mission to deploy a spy satellite blew apart on Monday. The U.S., South Korea and Japan have said the technology used for rockets helps Pyongyang\u2019s ballistic missile program and is a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.<\/p>\n
Kim intends to launch three spy satellites in 2024, official media reported after a policy-setting meeting of top officials in the last days of December. The satellites can help him keep an eye on U.S. troops in the region and improve his ability to strike targets as he upgrades his nuclear weapons arsenal.<\/p>\n
Kim Jong Un also warned South Korea that it was playing with fire by threatening his country\u2019s sovereignty through moves such as air exercises near the border separating the countries. His state sent balloons filled with trash such as batteries, shoe parts and manure into South Korea from Tuesday night and into Wednesday, South Korea\u2019s military said. <\/p>\n
The U.S., South Korea and others have accused North Korea of sending to Russia massive amounts of artillery shells as well as its newest family of short-range nuclear-capable ballistic missiles that are easy to hide and quick to deploy. The munitions are for use in the Kremlin\u2019s war in Ukraine, the U.S. and its partners have said. Pyongyang and Moscow have denied the charges. <\/p>\n
South Korean Defense Minister Shin Wonsik has said recent tests of weapons overseen by Kim Jong Un could be part of a demonstration before exporting the arms to Russia for use by Russian President Vladimir Putin for his assault on his neighbor. <\/p>\n
Russia, in return, is providing North Korea with food, raw materials and parts used in weapons manufacturing, Shin has said. The food aid has helped Kim stabilize prices for necessities, and if the arms transfers grow, Russia will likely send more military technology to Kim, increasing Pyongyang\u2019s threat to the region, Shin added.<\/p>\n
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(With assistance from Sebastian Tong.)<\/p>\n
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