SEOUL/PYONGYANG: North Korea fired at least two ballistic missiles on Sunday, coinciding with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit to China—Pyongyang’s key ally—and just hours after the United States launched a military operation in Venezuela.
The missile launches, Pyongyang’s first in two months, escalated regional and international tensions. The projectiles were fired from the capital, Pyongyang, into waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. South Korea’s military reported that the missiles traveled roughly 900 kilometers, while Japan confirmed two missiles covering distances of approximately 900 km and 950 km.
Experts interpret the timing and trajectory as a deliberate signal. Lim Eul-chul, professor at Seoul’s Institute for Far Eastern Studies, said the launches were intended “to warn China against closer ties with South Korea and to counter Beijing’s stance on denuclearization.”
He added that North Korea was signaling, “We are different from Venezuela”—demonstrating its military and nuclear capabilities as a form of aggressive deterrence.
Bong Youngshik, a visiting professor at Yonsei University, suggested that the developments in Venezuela may have also unsettled North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
“After observing the events in Venezuela, the person who would be most alarmed is Kim Jong Un,” he said, highlighting Pyongyang’s desire to assert its strength.
Seoul, Tokyo, and Washington Condemn LaunchesThe missile tests drew immediate condemnation from neighboring countries and allies. South Korea’s presidential office convened an emergency security meeting and urged Pyongyang to halt “provocative acts that violate United Nations Security Council resolutions.”
Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi called the launches a threat to regional and international peace, stating, “Our government lodged a strong protest with North Korea and strongly condemned it.”The US Indo-Pacific Command said the launches posed no immediate threat to US personnel or territory but confirmed it was consulting closely with allies.Kim Jong Un Flexes Military Might Ahead of Party Congress.
The missile tests follow recent moves by Kim to showcase North Korea’s military capabilities ahead of the Ninth Party Congress of the Workers’ Party, which is expected to outline major policy and defense objectives. On Saturday, state media reported that Kim called for more than doubling the production of tactical guided weapons during a visit to a munitions factory.
In recent weeks, he has also inspected missile facilities and a nuclear-powered submarine. South Korea Seeks China’s Role in Peace Efforts. President Lee’s visit to Beijing includes meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with analysts saying the focus will be on encouraging China to facilitate dialogue with North Korea. Lee’s security adviser, Wi Sung-lac, confirmed that promoting peace on the peninsula would be discussed, though specific details were not disclosed. North Korea has largely ignored diplomatic overtures from Lee since his election seven months ago.