A new intermediate-range ballistic missile tipped with a hypersonic warhead is launched on Jan. 6, 2025, in this file photo released by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency the following day. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, May 8 (Korea Bizwire) – North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Thursday, South Korea’s military said, in what could be a performance test aimed at exporting arms to Russia.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launch, involving various types of multiple short-range ballistic missiles, from the North’s eastern coastal city of Wonsan between 8:10 a.m. and 9:20 a.m.
The North’s missile flew up to 800 kilometers before splashing into the East Sea, it said. The latest test is also believed to have involved the North’s KN-25 super-large 600-millimeter multiple rocket launcher and the KN-23, which is similar to Russia’s Iskander short-range ballistic missiles.
South Korea’s military raised the possibility of the North conducting the latest launch for a performance test in conjunction with potential arms exports to Russia.
“It could be a test to inspect performance or flight stability for possible exports,” JCS spokesperson Col. Lee Sung-jun told a regular press briefing when asked about the North’s intention.
The South’s military condemned the launch as a “blatant provocative act” and said it is maintaining an overwhelming capability and posture capable of responding to any provocation so that North Korea will not make a wrong judgment.
The provocation came as North Korea acknowledged for the first time last month that it has sent thousands of troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine.
The latest launch came about two months after the North fired multiple ballistic missiles, presumed to be close-range ones, on March 10 as South Korea and the United States launched their joint springtime military drills. It also marked the North’s second ballistic missile launch since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January.
With the latest launch, North Korea has conducted ballistic missile tests four times this year to date.
North Korea has refrained from major provocations this year following Trump’s return and amid its deepening military cooperation with Russia.
The North, which has a track record of staging weapons tests in response to combined drills by Seoul and Washington, has opted to issue more rhetoric this year rather than conduct major provocations, such as those involving long-range ballistic missiles, experts said.
Meanwhile, on whether the North has made progress in launching a military spy satellite, Lee at the JCS said there are no imminent signs of such a launch, although Pyongyang continues to conduct engine tests.
The North has recently been stepping up its weapons development, with leader Kim Jong-un making official visits to factories that manufacture tanks and shells this month.
(Yonhap)
