North Korea Launches Multiple Ballistic Missiles Off East Coast

Article content(Bloomberg) — North Korea launched ballistic missiles toward waters off its east coast, authorities in South Korea and Japan said. Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentMultiple unidentified ballistic missiles were fired from the Sinpo area of North Korea at around 6:10 a.m. local time Sunday, according to a statement from South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article content“While strengthening surveillance and maintaining heightened readiness for further launches, South Korea, the US, and Japan are closely sharing information and maintaining full preparedness,” it said. Article contentArticle contentJapan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, speaking during a visit to Australia, said the ministry is collecting and analyzing information, while maintaining a high level of vigilance.Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentThe missiles are believed to have fallen near the east coast of the Korean Peninsula, with no impact confirmed within Japan’s territory or exclusive economic zone, its defense ministry said. There were no immediate reports of damage to aircraft or vessels in the area.Article contentPyongyang last launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward waters off its eastern coast on April 8. Article contentThe latest launch comes as the war in Iran drags on, heightening security concerns in east Asia as the US shifts its focus to the Middle East. Article contentNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been deepening strategic ties with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and continues close coordination with China, underscoring a growing alignment among the three nations against a US-led security order.Article contentIn recent months, Kim has unveiled the Hwasong-20, an intercontinental ballistic missile designed to reach the US mainland. He ordered the modernization of his country’s missile and artillery production, signaling a push to expand both nuclear and conventional weapons. Article contentArticle contentIn its latest annual threat-assessment report, the US intelligence authorities said North Korea had “successfully tested” intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the entire US mainland and gained “valuable war-fighting experience and military technology from Russia for participating in combat operations against Ukraine.”Article contentRafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said this month that the agency has observed a “very serious increase” in North Korea’s nuclear output capability. Article contentWhile President Lee Jae Myung has sought to ease tensions with Pyongyang, North Korea has largely brushed aside his outreach, maintaining that Seoul remains hostile.Article contentWhen President Donald Trump visited the region for the APEC meetings in late October, he said he was open to meeting Kim if the timing could be arranged. Article contentSunday’s launches and North Korea’s continued development of new missiles underscore the threat it poses to its neighbors, amid concerns over Pyongyang’s security cooperation with Russia. Kim said days after Trump’s inauguration that confrontation with hostile nations was “inevitable” as he visited a factory and laboratory making weapons-grade nuclear materials. Article contentMany of the projectiles tested in recent years have been of a group known as Hwasong-11, a family of short-range ballistic missiles that can hold hefty payloads including nuclear warheads. The US and South Korea have accused Kim of sending scores of this type of missile to Russia to help Putin in his war efforts.Article contentIn return, Russia has sent aid that has propped up North Korea’s economy and helped Kim advance his weapons programs, Seoul and Washington have said. Article contentArticle content—With assistance from Takashi Hirokawa, Keiko Ujikane and Se Young Lee.Article contentTrending Bank of Canada's Macklem says he has spoken to Fed chair about risks from Anthropic's Mythos AI model Banking Posthaste: Why Canadians might be doomed to suffer a 'new normal' for oil prices News 'The impacts are massive': U.S. tariff change pushes Canadian manufacturers to the brink Economy IMF sees Canada's fiscal position as strongest in G7 Economy Brace for gas price 'shock' in inflation numbers out Monday, say economists Economy Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Bank of Canada's Macklem says he has spoken to Fed chair about risks from Anthropic's Mythos AI model Banking Posthaste: Why Canadians might be doomed to suffer a 'new normal' for oil prices News 'The impacts are massive': U.S. tariff change pushes Canadian manufacturers to the brink Economy IMF sees Canada's fiscal position as strongest in G7 Economy Brace for gas price 'shock' in inflation numbers out Monday, say economists Economy