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NORTH Korea fired several ballistic missiles towards waters off its east coast on Sunday morning, South Korea’s military said, in a show of force that coincided with President Lee Jae Myung’s departure for a high-stakes state visit to China focused in part on peace on the Korean peninsula.
Reuters reported on Sunday that, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, the missiles were launched from the vicinity of Pyongyang at around 7:50 a.m. local time and travelled towards the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan. It was the North’s first ballistic missile launch in two months.
“Our military has strengthened surveillance and vigilance in preparation for further launches,” the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement, adding that South Korea was closely sharing information with the United States and Japan.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense said the missiles were believed to have already fallen.
The timing of the launch drew attention as Lee began a state visit to China on Sunday, where he is due to meet President Xi Jinping. Seoul has said discussions would include efforts to reduce tensions and promote peace on the Korean peninsula.
The missile test follows an intensification of North Korea’s military activity in recent weeks. State media reported on Saturday that leader Kim Jong Un had called for more than doubling the production capacity of tactical guided weapons during a visit to a munitions factory.
Kim has recently toured multiple weapons manufacturing facilities, inspected a nuclear-powered submarine and overseen missile tests ahead of this year’s Ninth Party Congress of the ruling Workers’ Party, where major policy directions are expected to be announced.
Lee’s visit to Beijing comes amid strained inter-Korean relations and limited diplomatic channels with Pyongyang. His security adviser, Wi Sung-lac, said South Korea was looking to China to play a constructive role in easing tensions.
Seoul expects Beijing to play a role in promoting peace on the Korean peninsula, Wi said, without providing further details of the summit agenda.
Analysts said Lee is expected to urge China to use its influence over North Korea to encourage dialogue, even as Pyongyang has largely dismissed outreach from the South Korean leader in recent months.
China, North Korea’s main diplomatic and economic backer, has long positioned itself as a key stakeholder in regional stability, making Lee’s talks with Xi a focal point as missile tests and military posturing again raise security concerns in Northeast Asia. - January 4, 2025