North Korea has launched at least one short-range ballistic missile into the East Sea, South Korea’s military said Friday, just days after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrapped up security talks in Seoul.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile flew about 700km (435 miles) before splashing down in waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. Tokyo confirmed the launch, saying the projectile landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
The test marks Pyongyang’s latest show of defiance amid deepening military cooperation between Seoul and Washington. It follows North Korea’s firing of 10 artillery rounds into its western waters earlier this week and comes a week after President Donald Trump approved South Korea’s plan to develop a nuclear-powered submarine.
Seoul now hopes to secure enriched uranium from the US to fuel the domestically built vessel, a move analysts say could significantly upgrade its naval strength.
While Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung have expressed interest in restarting dialogue with Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader has refused to engage unless Washington drops its demand for denuclearisation. Kim insists the country’s nuclear status is “irreversible.”
Earlier this month, Kim hosted Russian and Chinese delegations at a grand military parade showcasing new intercontinental ballistic missiles. North Korean and Russian defense officials met again this week in Pyongyang to expand bilateral military cooperation, according to state media.
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