North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles in two rounds on Wednesday, according to South Korea’s military, following an “unidentified projectile” reported from the Pyongyang area the previous day.
The South Korean government, under President Lee Jae Myung, has sought to repair relations with the North since he assumed office last year. On Monday, Seoul expressed regret over civilian drone incursions into the North in January, calling the operation “irresponsible” and acknowledging government involvement.
Analysts said Wednesday’s missile launches—North Korea’s fourth and fifth known tests this year—demonstrate Pyongyang’s rejection of Seoul’s recent peace gestures.
South Korea’s military confirmed that the first set of short-range ballistic missiles was fired around 8:50 a.m. local time, traveling approximately 240 kilometres, while a second launch around 2:20 p.m. covered over 700 kilometres toward the East Sea (Sea of Japan).
The Japan Coast Guard also warned ships to remain vigilant after detecting what it described as a suspected ballistic missile launch from North Korea.
Seoul’s Office of National Security convened an emergency meeting at the Blue House, calling on Pyongyang to immediately halt provocations.
After President Lee’s drone apology, Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of Kim Jong Un, described Seoul’s action as “wise behaviour.”
However, tensions escalated when Jang Kum Chol, first vice-minister of North Korea’s foreign ministry, described South Korea as “the enemy state most hostile” to Pyongyang. He dismissed South Korean media claims that Kim Yo Jong’s comments were friendly as “nonsense” and “hope-filled dream reading” by “world-startling fools,” according to the Korean Central News Agency.
Experts say the missile tests reinforce North Korea’s firm stance against Seoul despite repeated outreach. Lim Eul-chul, a North Korea analyst at Kyungnam University, noted that the launches serve as a clear message of Pyongyang’s anti-South position.
Separately, Pyongyang announced that China’s top diplomat Wang Yi will visit the country for a two-day trip starting Thursday, ahead of an expected summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping next month.
Speculation is growing over a potential meeting between Trump and Kim around the same time. Trump, who has previously criticised Seoul’s support during the Middle East conflict, recently praised his relationship with Kim, despite the U.S. maintaining roughly 28,500 troops in South Korea.
