North Korea SRBM launch activity resumed Thursday morning as multiple short-range ballistic missiles flew from its eastern coast. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the launch began at 8:10 a.m. from Wonsan and ended around 9:20 a.m. The missiles traveled up to 800 kilometers, reigniting fears about regional security. This marked the first North Korea SRBM launch since March and immediately drew condemnation from Seoul. Japan issued a warning over the Sea of Japan at 9:24 a.m. but gave an all-clear only 18 minutes later.
The gap between South Korean and Japanese alerts sparked confusion, yet both countries stressed continued information sharing with the U.S. Meanwhile, the Joint Chiefs of Staff stopped short of disclosing the exact number of missiles launched. Analysts say the 800-kilometer range aligns with North Korea’s typical SRBM capabilities. However, the second wave of alerts in Japan suggests a possible second launch sequence. As of now, neither Seoul nor Tokyo has clarified the timing mismatch.
This North Korea SRBM launch comes days after Kim Jong Un visited several weapons factories. North Korean state media often releases launch footage a day later, though recent launches have gone unreported. Last week, Pyongyang also tested cruise and anti-aircraft missiles from a newly unveiled destroyer. The regime appears to be expanding its military demonstrations amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Yet, many experts caution that these provocations aim to boost internal morale and foreign leverage.
South Korea labeled the event a “serious provocation” and condemned it as a “threat to peace” in the region. Officials also reiterated their commitment to working with the U.S. and Japan for defense coordination. This latest North Korea SRBM launch mirrors a similar one last year near the same coastal area. At that time, North Korea fired a Hwasong-11D, which some experts classify as a close-range ballistic missile. Despite the technical debate, the repeated launches pose growing security concerns for neighboring states.
Given the frequency of tests, military officials expect North Korea to continue with more missile launches this year. The regime often escalates activity in response to joint military exercises by the U.S. and South Korea. Furthermore, North Korea uses such actions to signal strength before international summits or sanctions discussions. Regional observers warn that each North Korea SRBM launch erodes diplomatic stability. While responses remain restrained, pressure for a firmer stance continues to grow in Seoul and Washington.
