Agadir – North Korea fired ballistic missiles on Sunday toward the sea between the Koreas and Japan, coinciding with the start of a state visit by South Korea’s leader to China, and only hours after the United States carried out strikes in Venezuela.
At least two missiles were fired, marking the country’s first such test in two months. The launches further escalated international tensions, already inflamed by the U.S. President Donald Trump’s military action in Venezuela, which led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that it had detected what appeared to be a ballistic missile launch, indicating that regional monitoring systems were activated shortly after the launch.
The missiles were launched from Pyongyang, occurring just hours before South Korean President Lee Jae Myung began a state visit to China to meet President Xi Jinping.
It is alleged that the missiles may serve as a signal to China. As it aims to deter closer ties between China and South Korea and to challenge China’s position on denuclearization.
Kim Jong Un emphasized the importance of maintaining and strengthening North Korea’s reliable nuclear deterrent, according to a KCNA report published Monday. “It’s a very important strategy to maintain or expand the strong and reliable nuclear deterrent,” Kim said.
He points out that it was necessary due to “the recent geopolitical crisis and various international circumstances,” though he did not specify which crisis he was referring to. Some analysts suggest that the comment may be linked to the recent U.S. strikes on Venezuela.