Seoul: North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Thursday, South Korea's military announced, marking its first ballistic missile test since March. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) detected the launch, which likely involved multiple short-range ballistic missiles, from the North's eastern coastal city of Wonsan at approximately 8:10 a.m.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the JCS reported that the South Korean military has enhanced its surveillance to prepare for any additional launches. They are maintaining full readiness while closely sharing information on the North's ballistic missiles with the United States and Japan.
Thursday's missile launch follows the North's previous activity on March 10, when it fired multiple ballistic missiles, believed to be close-range ones, during the joint springtime military drills conducted by South Korea and the U.S. This event also marks North Korea's second ballistic missile launch since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January.
North Korea has avoided major provocations this year, despite Trump's return and its growing military cooperation with Russia. Historically, North Korea has staged weapons tests in response to combined drills by Seoul and Washington. However, experts suggest that this year, the North has chosen to rely more on rhetoric rather than engaging in significant provocations, such as tests involving long-range ballistic missiles.