North Korea Launches Multiple Ballistic Missiles As Tensions With South Korea Escalate

North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles towards the East Sea on Monday, South Korea’s military said, amid escalating tensions between the neighbours following a land mine explosion near their heavily fortified border.

The blast, which injured three South Korean soldiers in the Seoul-controlled area of the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), has fuelled tensions as both countries continue to test upgraded missile technology.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected several ballistic missiles launched from the Pyongyang area at around 9:20 am local time (0020 GMT).

“Our military has stepped up surveillance and vigilance against possible additional launches,” the JCS said in a statement.

Japan’s defence ministry separately confirmed the launch of at least one suspected ballistic missile, while US Pacific Command said North Korea had launched two ballistic missiles that posed no immediate threat to US personnel, territory or allies.

Some of the North Korean missiles travelled more than 900 kilometres (560 miles), according to South Korea’s military. Seoul and Washington are analysing the weapons’ exact specifications.

South Korea’s National Security Office convened an emergency security meeting following the launches to assess the country’s military readiness.

Land Mine Blast Deepens Seoul-Pyongyang Dispute

A joint investigation by South Korea and the United Nations last week concluded that North Korea had planted the land mines that exploded in the DMZ more than a year ago. Pyongyang has strongly denied the allegation.

Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, criticised South Korea’s demand for an apology, calling it “despicable”. She also rejected a separate offer of medical equipment from Seoul.

The dispute has further complicated efforts to improve relations between the two countries.

North Korea, South Korea Test Advanced Missile Technology

The latest launch follows a series of weapons tests by both countries.

On October 3, North Korea test-fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile. Kim Yo Jong said the weapon used unspecified artificial intelligence technology and was capable of changing its flight trajectory at low altitude.

South Korea subsequently announced that it had successfully tested a domestically developed hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). Such weapons are carried into the upper atmosphere by rocket boosters or ballistic missiles before gliding towards their targets.

South Korea’s presidential Blue House said the HGV provided “a new deterrence capability capable of striking key targets within the Korean Peninsula’s operational environment.”

The competing weapons tests have added to concerns over military escalation on the Korean Peninsula.

Kim Yo Jong Sets Conditions For Improving Ties

On Thursday, Kim Yo Jong said South Korea must demonstrate “utmost respect” if it wants to restore relations with Pyongyang.

“If they (South Korea) truly wish to restore relations between the DPRK and South Korea, they should be mindful of the other side’s feelings in every word and deed, and first demonstrate the utmost respect, consideration and sincerity,” she said, using North Korea’s official acronym.

The rising tensions come as US President Donald Trump’s recent overtures towards Pyongyang have fuelled concerns that South Korea could be sidelined in potential negotiations over North Korea’s nuclear programme.

In October, North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles a day after Trump suggested he might meet Kim Jong Un later this year.

The two Koreas remain technically at war because the Korean War ended in 1953 with an armistice rather than a formal peace treaty.

The DMZ remains one of the world’s most heavily fortified borders, and incidents involving land mines have repeatedly heightened tensions between the neighbouring countries.