North Korea Fires Multiple Short-Range Ballistic Missiles, Second Test in a Week

North Korea has launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles towards its east coast, South Korea and Japan confirmed on Wednesday, Al Jazeera reports.

This marks the second such test in a week, escalating tensions in the region.

The missiles were fired from Kaechon, a city north of the capital Pyongyang, around 6:50 am local time (21:50 GMT on Tuesday). They flew around 249 miles northeast, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), which did not specify the exact number of missiles or their landing point.

“North Korea’s missile launch is a clear act of provocation that seriously threatens peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and we strongly condemn it,” the JCS stated.

Japan’s coastguard also confirmed the launch, reporting at least two ballistic missiles fired by North Korea.

The test comes just days after North Korea’s foreign minister met with Russia’s top security official, Sergei Shoigu, in Moscow. The two countries have deepened their relations in recent months, prompting speculation that the latest missile tests could be linked to North Korea’s alleged supply of weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine, claims that Pyongyang and Moscow both deny.

Last Thursday, North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles, marking its first such launch in over two months, which it later claimed was a test of a new 600mm multiple-launch rocket system. This was the country’s first major weapons test since early July.

Wednesday’s launches also coincide with the release of images by North Korea showcasing its uranium enrichment facility for the first time, signaling a potential advancement in its nuclear program.

North Korea conducted its first nuclear test in 2006 and has been subject to United Nations sanctions ever since.