South Korea’s military reported Friday that North Korea launched at least one ballistic missile toward its eastern waters. The Joint Chiefs of Staff did not immediately provide details on the type of missile or its range.
According to The Associated Press, the launch comes as North Korea has accelerated weapons testing in recent weeks, including purported hypersonic and cruise missiles last month.
The latest firing followed a visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to South Korea for annual security talks on Tuesday, where he praised Seoul’s plans to increase military spending amid North Korea’s nuclear threats and other regional uncertainties.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has avoided talks with Washington and Seoul since his diplomacy with President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019 over disagreements on sanction relief in exchange for nuclear disarmament.
Kim has since expanded North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs and deepened ties with Russia, sending troops and military equipment to support President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. His arsenal now includes nuclear-capable missiles capable of striking U.S. allies in Asia and the U.S. mainland.
