North Korea Launches Missiles from East Coast, According to South Korea; Possible Weapons Tests for Export, South Korea's Military Suggests
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North Korea's military went ham with a barrage of short-range ballistic missiles, launching 'em off its east coast into the Sea of Japan, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. They think these tests might be for exporting those bad boys to other nations.
The missile-launching spree took place between 8:10am (23:10 GMT on Wednesday) and 9:20am (00:20 GMT) in an area near the eastern port city of Wonsan. The missiles flew up to 800km (500 miles) before splashing down in the sea, the JCS said. This isn't the first time North Korea's been testing the waters – it's been doing this since January and March, firing several types of missiles.
"Our military is on high alert, keeping a close eye on all crazy North Korean shenanigans to ensure they don't screw up, thanks to our solid South Korea-US defense partnership," said a JCS spokesperson, Lee Sung Joon. He suspected these launches could be a test of the "street cred" or durability of missiles headed for export.
Despite not naming any specific countries, it's clear North Korea's got its eyes on Russia, as it's been supporting their war effort in Ukraine with missiles, artillery, and around 15,000 troops. Reports indicate that over 4,700 North Korean soldiers have been either killed or injured. Kim Jong Un, North Korea's leader, publicly acknowledged this deployment in late 2022, stating his forces would help "wipe out the Ukrainian neo-Nazi jokers" in collaboration with the Russian army.
Last year, North Korea and Russia sealed a mutually backs-each-other's-play deal, following a visit from Russian President Vladimir Putin. These latest missile launches also got Japan's goat, with Defense Minister Nakatani Gen voicing his disapproval. Tokyo protested the moves, hoping Pyongyang would see reason.
Enrichment Data: North Korea could potentially export missiles to countries like:
- Russia: With North Korea supporting Russia's war effort in Ukraine and the recent missile tests, it's possible they're catering to Russia's military requirements[1][2][3].
- Other Countries: Although the spotlight is on Russia, North Korea's arms deal aspirations may extend to other nations. However, specific details about these countries are currently unclear.
- These latest missile launches by North Korea might signal their intent to export weapons to countries, with Russia being a potential candidate, given their support in the Ukraine war.
- The sports world took a backseat today as breaking news of North Korea's missile tests dominated general-news headlines.
- The misjudgment in North Korea's military strategy, as showcased by these missile tests, could have wider implications in international politics.
- The export of missiles by North Korea could potentially disrupt the global political landscape, making it essential for governing bodies to closely monitor the situation.
- Despite the tension escalated by the missile tests, the Eastern political bloc is under pressure to refrain from misjudgments that could escalate into a war.
