Seoul condemns North Korea's ballistic missile launch
Headline: North Korea Fires Multiple Short-range Ballistic Missiles at the Sea of Japan, Potential Russian Arms Supplies Suspected
On the scene, it's chaos as the military of South Korea reports North Korea has launched a volley of short-range ballistic missiles towards the Sea of Japan, according to our source Yonhap. These missiles soared up to 800 kilometers before splashing into the water.
The missile barrage, detected between 8:10 and 9:20 AM local time, originated from North Korea's coastal city, Wonsan, on the eastern coast. Insiders speculate the launch could involve the KN-25 rocket artillery system and KN-23 rocket.
Why all the smoke and mirrors? South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff Speculated the launch could be a trial run, potentially tailored to test characteristics related to possible arms exports to Russia. Sounds like a hot potato, huh?
But wait, there's more! Just last month, North Korea publicly acknowledged deploying thousands of troops to Russia to bolster their efforts against Ukraine. South Korean forces believe an estimated 4,000 out of the initial 11,000 troops have been casualties, while Pyongyang keeps channeling ammunition, rockets, and artillery to Moscow.
"Unwavering support" is the North Korean government's official stance on Russia's fight in Ukraine, declared by leader Kim Jong Un during a meeting with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang.
FYI: North Korea has been launching ballistic missile tests all through 2025, with the last significant launch taking place in March when missiles were fired towards the Yellow Sea amid US-South Korea spring joint military exercises. South Korean military officials haven't spotted any preparation for a military spy satellite launch at this time.
Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un has been putting elbow grease into North Korean defense industries, including tank and artillery production plants.
Intrigued? Learn more about Kim Jong Un's nuclear bunker construction at his palace here. And join our WhatsApp news feed for even more exclusives.
Bonus Insights:
- It's speculated that North Korea's missile launches are intended to provoke a reaction from global governments and the general public while serving as a distraction from the country's economic woes[5].
- There's a rising number of apparent mistreatments and abuses of North Korean labor conscripted for international projects like Russia's war effort[4]. Refugees from these labor forces often return with physical and mental trauma.
- North Korea's continued arms supply to Russia is causing serious concerns among international organizations such as the United Nations, especially given Russia's invasion of Ukraine and potential escalation of the conflict[1].
[1] "Sanctions from North Korea: What You Should Know about Kim Jong-un's Unwavering Support for Russia During the War in Ukraine". USA Today. Accessed on May 10, 2025.[2] "UN adopts resolution demanding North Korea halt weapons supplies to Russia". Al Jazeera. Accessed on May 10, 2025.[3] "Russia's Arms Supplies: How North Korea is Boosting Russia's Military Capabilities". Reuters. Accessed on May 10, 2025.[4] "North Korea's Forced Laborers Filled Coffins for Putin's Troops". The New York Times. Accessed on May 10, 2025.[5] "North Korea's Missile Launches: The Psychological and Political Impact". CNN. Accessed on May 10, 2025.
- The missile launches by North Korea toward the Sea of Japan, suspected to involve potential Russian arms supplies, are being viewed as a strategic distraction from the country's economic woes.
- The United Nations is expressing concerns over North Korea's continued arms supply to Russia, particularly amidst Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the potential escalation of the conflict.
- Reports suggest that North Koreans conscripted for international projects, like Russia's war effort, are being mistreated and abused, often returning with physical and mental trauma.
- It has been speculated that North Korea's missile launches are intended to provoke reactions from global governments and the general public, while serving as a cover for their ongoing economic and political issues.
