North Korea fired a suspected ballistic missile from its east coast on Wednesday, according to South Korean and Japanese military reports. This comes just two days after North Korea warned of “counteraction” against alleged intrusions by U.S. spy planes and drones. Both South Korea and Japan have confirmed the launch but have not released any further details.
This recent launch follows North Korea’s previous launch on June 15, which involved two short-range ballistic missiles that landed within Japan’s exclusive economic zone. The launch comes after Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accused U.S. Air Force reconnaissance planes and drones of intruding into North Korea’s airspace on July 10. Kim Yo Jong stated that the U.S. forces will face consequences if they continue to cross into North Korea’s airspace.
North Korea claimed that U.S. spy planes and a drone had flown over the East and West seas of Korea between July 2 and July 9, resulting in a warning that Washington would “pay the price.” U.S. officials have dismissed these allegations and called for dialogue. The State Department has urged North Korea to refrain from escalatory actions and reiterated the willingness to engage in dialogue without preconditions.
North Korea views the U.S. military presence in the region as evidence of U.S. hostility. The country has justified its recent series of weapons launches as a response to what it perceives as provocative military drills between the United States and South Korea. The United States sent a nuclear-powered guided-missile submarine to South Korea on June 16 in response to North Korea’s missile launches, which North Korea denounced.
North Korea has conducted numerous ballistic missile tests this year, including short-range missiles and intercontinental ballistic missiles. The United States and its allies have expressed concern that North Korea may be preparing to resume nuclear bomb testing for the first time since 2017.