North Korea on Friday again fired a short-range ballistic missile toward the East Sea (Sea of Japan) . The missile test came a day after the US imposed new sanctions on two North Korean companies and eight individuals, further escalating tensions in the region.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported that the missile was launched at 12:35 p.m. local time from Taegwan County in North Phyongan Province . The missile traveled approximately 700 kilometers and fell into the sea. The JCS stated that South Korean and US intelligence agencies were aware of the launch in advance and were closely monitoring it.
The missile’s technical characteristics and range are currently being analyzed. South Korea has described the incident as a ” serious threat to regional stability ” and said it has shared information with the United States and Japan.
This is North Korea’s sixth ballistic missile test this year and the second such launchunder South Korean President Lee Jae-myung since he took office in June .
Earlier, the US imposed sanctions on two North Korean companies and eight citizens , accusing them of abusing the international financial system through illicit cyber activities and money laundering . Pyongyang reacted sharply to these sanctions.
North Korea’s Foreign Ministry said the US action exposed ” Washington’s hostile and hateful policy .” The statement warned that Pyongyang would deliver an “appropriate and firm response.”
Analysts say the missile test is part of a warning and aimed at applying diplomatic pressure on the US . American officials have called it a violation of international norms and urged North Korea to stop provocative activities.
It is worth noting that US President Donald Trump recently expressed his desire to resume diplomatic talks with North Korea. He had previously raised the possibility of meeting Kim Jong-un during his visit to South Korea, but that meeting did not take place. Now, this series of sanctions and missile tests has once again escalatedtensions between the two countries to a serious level .
Security experts in the Asia-Pacific region say that this situation could increase diplomatic instability in the coming days and it is also likely to impact the US-China-North Korea triangular equation .