SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea launched a barrage of ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters Thursday, the South Korean military said, days after the North threatened to retake the front line. propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts and deploys new weapons along the rivals’ tense border.
These launches also followed leader Kim Jong Un’s surprise weekend. visit to China, the North’s main ally and economic lifeline, to promote greater cooperation.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said they detected about 10 short-range ballistic missiles fired from the coastal city of Wonsan in eastern North Korea, and that they each traveled about 250 kilometers (155 miles). He said the South Korean military remained ready to repel any provocation from North Korea in close coordination with the United States. Japan’s Defense Ministry also reported a suspected ballistic missile launch by North Korea.
Animosity between the Koreas has intensified since last month’s ground conflict mine explosions at the border which injured three South Korean soldiers. Seoul has accused North Korea of laying mines south of the military demarcation line and demanded an apology. But Pyongyang has denied any responsibility For the explosions and warned of retaliation if provoked.
Last week, North Korea announced it would resume propaganda broadcasts and put new weapons systems on alert along the border to protest what it called repeated warning shots by South Korean troops in border areas. South Korea then proposed negotiations on clarifying the border to avoid accidental clashes, but North Korea did not respond.
During a visit to a South Korean border town earlier this week, Associated Press journalists saw North Korean artillery guns across the border that had not been visible before.
In recent years, North Korea has placed more mines, barbed wire and other defense structures along the border, in line with Kim’s policy of cutting ties with South Korea. Seoul said North Korean troops repeatedly breached the border during the work and the South Korean military responded by firing warning shots. North Korea has denied the alleged border violations.
North Korea has stepped up in recent weeks weapons testing in a likely bid to secure greater U.S. concessions as President Donald Trump has expressed his desire to restore diplomacy with Kim.
On Saturday, Kim traveled to the Chinese border city of Dandong via a newly inaugurated bridge to pay his respects at a memorial marking China’s support for North Korea during the Korean War (1950-1953). It was his sixth visit to China as leader.
At the memorial, Kim said North Korea would firmly pursue its “invincible” friendship with China. During his meeting with a senior Chinese official on Saturday, Kim reaffirmed his determination to develop bilateral cooperation.
Kim has recently taken steps to strengthen ties with China after years of prioritizing relations with Russia, including sending troops and munitions to support his war against Ukraine.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Thursday that Beijing hopes all relevant nations will remain committed to a political settlement to resolve tensions on the Korean Peninsula and seek to promote regional peace.
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Associated Press writers Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo and E. Eduardo Castillo in Beijing contributed to this report.
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