North Korea launches ballistic missiles - South Korea's military

North Korea launches ballistic missiles - South Korea's military

North Korea's latest ballistic missile launches on Thursday, September 15, 2022, have raised concerns about the country's nuclear capabilities and its commitment to regional and international peace [1]. This marks the first public weapons testing activities by North Korea in over two months.

According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea, with the detected missiles flying approximately 360 kilometers (about 220 miles) before landing in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan [1]. The reported flight distances suggest that these missiles were designed to attack targets in South Korea.

The launch comes after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to put his nuclear force fully ready for battle with its rivals during his government's 76th foundation anniversary speech on Monday, September 5, 2022 [1]. Kim's remarks highlighted the "grave threat" he perceives from the United States and its allies due to their "reckless expansion" of regional military blocs.

The international community, including the United States, South Korea, and Japan, has strongly condemned North Korea's latest ballistic missile launches, which threaten regional and international peace [1]. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command reaffirmed its commitment to the security of South Korea and Japan, stating that the U.S. security commitment remains "ironclad" [1].

Recent developments, such as North Korea's claims of testing a new tactical weapon capable of delivering a large warhead and the inspection of a 12-axel vehicle that could potentially be the country's biggest missile launch platform, have fueled speculation about North Korea's intentions to further develop its nuclear capabilities [1].

As tensions continue to rise on the Korean Peninsula, it is crucial for all parties involved to engage in diplomatic efforts to deescalate the situation and promote regional and international peace.

References:
[1] Associated Press. (2022, September 15). North Korea fires multiple short-range ballistic missiles into sea. Retrieved September 16, 2022, from https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-missile-launch-south-a6ec6af18b153b46ff14999e1599f57d