Camille Naredo

This picture taken on December 21, 2024 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on December 22, 2024 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspecting a housing unit built in an area previously affected by flooding earlier this summer in North Pyongan Province. KCNA VIA KNS / AFP/file

This picture taken on December 21, 2024 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on December 22, 2024 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspecting a housing unit built in an area previously affected by flooding earlier this summer in North Pyongan Province

Article (news)

NORTH KOREA

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1736854872646011325_Kim Jong Un 2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="This picture taken on December 21, 2024 and released from North Korea&#x27;s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on December 22, 2024 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspecting a housing unit built in an area previously affected by flooding earlier this summer in North Pyongan Province. KCNA VIA KNS / AFP/file"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">This picture taken on December 21, 2024 and released from North Korea&#x27;s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on December 22, 2024 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspecting a housing unit built in an area previously affected by flooding earlier this summer in North Pyongan Province. <em>KCNA VIA KNS / AFP/file</em></span></span></span></div><p>SEOUL, South Korea -- North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles into the sea on Tuesday, according to Seoul&#x27;s military, in what experts said could be a message to US President-elect Donald Trump&#x27;s incoming administration.</p><p>The launch came as Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya visited South Korea for a series of meetings with top officials, with the Asian neighbors seeking to boost bilateral ties before Trump returns to office next week.</p><p>&quot;The South Korean military detected several short-range ballistic missiles fired into the East Sea,&quot; the military in Seoul said, referring to the body of water also known as the Sea of Japan.</p><p>South Korean and US intelligence agencies had monitored Pyongyang&#x27;s launch preparations, the military said, with Seoul maintaining &quot;full readiness&quot; and sharing information with Washington and Tokyo.</p><p>Tuesday&#x27;s launch took place around 9:30 am (0030 GMT) near North Korea&#x27;s Ganggye area, with the missiles flying 250 kilometers (155 miles) before landing in the sea, according to the military.</p><p>The United States Indo-Pacific Command condemned the test, calling on North Korea &quot;to refrain from further unlawful and destabilizing acts&quot;.</p><p>Seoul&#x27;s acting president Choi Sang-mok also slammed the launch, saying it violated UN Security Council resolutions.</p><p>&quot;Seoul will respond more strongly to North Korea&#x27;s provocations based on its strong security posture and alliance with the US,&quot; he said.</p><p>Experts said the latest launch could be intended as a message to the incoming US president.</p><p>&quot;It may indicate an intention to put pressure ahead of the Trump administration&#x27;s second term,&quot; said Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/1/7/north-korea-s-kim-says-new-missile-will-deter-rivals-1248">READ: North Korea&#x27;s Kim says new missile will deter &#x27;rivals&#x27;</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/1/6/north-korea-launches-ballistic-missile-toward-east-sea-s-korea-military-1150">READ: North Korea launches ballistic missile toward East Sea: S. Korea military</a></div><div><strong>- Second test this month -</strong></div><p>Ahn Chan-il, a defector-turned-researcher who runs the World Institute for North Korea Studies, told AFP the test launch &quot;appears to be an intention to assert presence ahead of the Trump administration&quot;.</p><p>He said it could also be aimed at &quot;destabilizing South Korea during Seoul&#x27;s own period of turmoil&quot;. Suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol&#x27;s impeachment trial over his failed martial law bid began on Tuesday.</p><p>Tuesday&#x27;s launch was Pyongyang&#x27;s second this month after it fired what it said was a new hypersonic missile system last week.</p><p>The location of the test site was undisclosed but images released by North Korean state media KCNA showed leader Kim Jong Un observing last week&#x27;s launch with his teenage daughter Ju Ae.</p><p>KCNA cited the use of a &quot;new compound of carbon fiber&quot; in the missile&#x27;s engine, which experts warned could allow Pyongyang to hit further targets with technology to which only the United States, Russia and China currently have access.</p><p>Relations between the two Koreas have been at one of their lowest points in years, with the North launching a flurry of ballistic missiles last year in violation of UN sanctions.</p><p>In response to Pyongyang&#x27;s increased capabilities, South Korea&#x27;s state arms procurement agency said on Tuesday it has begun developing a new missile defense system &quot;aiming to intercept North Korea&#x27;s nuclear and missile threats at higher altitudes&quot;.</p><p>The missile system will cost 567.7 billion won ($388 million) and is scheduled to be ready by 2028, Seoul&#x27;s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said in a statement.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2024/12/29/north-korea-launches-toughest-us-strategy-in-key-party-meeting-0123">READ: North Korea launches &#x27;toughest&#x27; US strategy in key party meeting</a></div><div><strong>- Pyongyang&#x27;s ties with Moscow -</strong></div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABTCG5sRF7ZX0WL6&amp;activation=click&amp;vip_mode=playing&amp;vip_position=bottom-right"></script><p>Last week&#x27;s alleged hypersonic missile launch came as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was visiting South Korea.</p><p>Blinken said during that visit that Moscow was increasing cooperation with Pyongyang, adding they were working ever more closely on advanced space technology.</p><p>Ahn said another reason for Tuesday&#x27;s launch may be the testing of &quot;missiles for export to Russia to be used in Ukraine&quot;.</p><p>North Korea test-fired in late October what it said was its most advanced and powerful solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). It then fired a salvo of short-range ballistic missiles days later.</p><p>US and South Korean intelligence also believe that North Korea started in October to send thousands of troops to fight against Ukraine and has since suffered hundreds of casualties.</p><p>However, neither North Korea nor Russia has officially confirmed that Pyongyang&#x27;s forces are fighting for Moscow.</p><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/1/13/seoul-says-300-north-korean-soldiers-killed-fighting-ukraine-1935">READ: Seoul says 300 North Korean soldiers killed fighting Ukraine</a></div>

<p>North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles into the sea on Tuesday, according to Seoul's military, in what experts said could be a message to US President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration.</p>

North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles into the sea on Tuesday, according to Seoul's military, in what experts said could be a message to US President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration.

North Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles before Trump's return

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North Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles before Trump's return

Agence France-Presse,

Hieun Shin

Published January 14, 2025 07:58 PM PHT

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North Korea

South Korea

United States

Donald Trump

Russia

Ukraine

ballistic missiles

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