North Korea fired several projectiles, including a short-range ballistic missile, into the Yellow Sea on Tuesday, according to South Korea’s military.
The launches mark Pyongyang’s latest weapons test amid rising regional tensions and continued concerns over the country’s expanding missile and nuclear programmes.
In a statement, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the projectiles were detected from the North Korean city of Chongju at around 1:00 p.m. local time.
The missiles reportedly travelled approximately 80 kilometres before landing in the Yellow Sea, the body of water separating the Korean Peninsula from China.
South Korea’s military said it was analysing the specifications and flight paths of the projectiles while strengthening surveillance and readiness in anticipation of possible additional launches.
According to Seoul, South Korea, the United States and Japan remain in close coordination and are sharing intelligence as part of joint security efforts in the region.
The latest test was North Korea’s first missile launch in 37 days and its eighth this year.
Analysts have suggested that Pyongyang may be seeking to take advantage of shifting global geopolitical dynamics and weakening international pressure to reinforce its status as a nuclear power.
Relations between North and South Korea have remained tense, with Pyongyang repeatedly rejecting diplomatic outreach from Seoul and describing South Korea as its “most hostile” enemy.
In April, North Korea conducted another missile-related test, which its state media claimed was aimed at verifying the “characteristics and power” of a cluster bomb warhead.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported last week, citing government sources, that Chinese President Xi Jinping may visit North Korea later this week.
China remains North Korea’s main economic and political ally, although Pyongyang has increasingly strengthened ties with Russia in recent years.
Neither Beijing nor Pyongyang has officially confirmed reports of a possible visit by Xi.
