North Korea Test-Fires Series of Ballistic Missiles Into Eastern Waters Amid Rising Tensions With Seoul

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea launched a barrage of ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters on Thursday, according to Seoul’s military, escalating tensions with the South just days after Pyongyang threatened to resume propaganda broadcasts along the heavily fortified border.

The missile tests came shortly after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un wrapped up a surprise diplomatic trip to China, where he sought strengthened bilateral cooperation with his country’s key ally and primary economic partner.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported detecting nearly a dozen short-range ballistic missiles launched from the coastal city of Wonsan, each traveling approximately 250 kilometers before landing in international waters. Seoul affirmed its commitment to defensive readiness alongside U.S. alliance partners to deter further provocations.

Japan’s Defense Ministry independently confirmed detecting one such projectile believed to be of North Korean origin during the same timeframe.

Tensions between the two Koreas have intensified following a late-July incident involving land mines along their shared border that left three South Korean soldiers injured. While Seoul publicly attributed blame to North Korea, Pyongyang denied involvement while warning against what it perceives as repeated cross-border provocations.

Compounding recent friction, North Korea announced plans to restart anti-Seoul propaganda broadcasts—an action previously halted under inter-Korean agreements—and move additional military assets near contested frontier zones. Though South Korea extended an olive branch proposing emergency talks aimed at preventing accidental collisions, no formal response has yet emerged from Pyongyang.

During a field visit earlier this week, Associated Press correspondents observed previously unseen North Korean artillery positions stationed directly opposite known South Korean border outposts, suggesting careful preparation behind the latest saber-rattling campaign.

The pattern mirrors broader strategic shifts outlined by Kim over recent months, emphasizing hardline postures toward Seoul amid reduced outreach since last year’s deadly mine blast episode. Analysts note increasing militarization along both sides reflects deeper ideological rifts rather than temporary flare-ups.

These latest weapons drills continue a string of technical evaluations—including submarine-borne cruise missiles and advanced hypersonic glide vehicles—seen widely as leverage plays targeting Washington ahead of any potential renewal in nuclear negotiations with the incoming administration.

Last weekend, Kim made his sixth official state visit to northeastern China via a ceremonial bridge linking distant border regions. There, he honored historical ties rooted in Beijing’s wartime backing of North Korea nearly seven decades ago and engaged senior Chinese officials including Politburo member Wang Huning, reiterating mutual interests in expanding economic collaboration despite international sanctions regimes.

Notably, Kim’s recent pivot eastward contrasts sharply with earlier years when Moscow held center stage in Pyongyang’s foreign policy orbit. His active backing of Russia’s ongoing operations abroad appears to have ceded ground to renewed focus on strengthening Sino-North Korean partnership dynamics moving forward.

Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report.

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