Further provocation

North Korea fires another cruise missile

According to the South Korean military, the self-proclaimed nuclear power North Korea has fired several guided missiles for the fourth time since the beginning of the year. It was the fourth launch in just one week.

The missile launch on Friday at around 11 a.m. (local time) was the fourth launch ordered by Pyongyang within a week. The tests "are part of the normal activities of the General Directorate and its subordinate Defense Development Agency", the statement said. The aim was to "further develop the technology of new weapons systems".

According to North Korea, it had recently tested strategic cruise missiles several times in order to expand the country's nuclear power. These included newly developed cruise missiles that could be fired from a submarine. The term "strategic" suggests that they are to be equipped with nuclear weapons.

Significantly more weapons tests in the last two years
Tensions on the Korean peninsula are currently on the rise again. Over the past two years, North Korea has significantly increased the number of its weapons tests with missiles and guided missiles and has also stepped up its rhetoric against the USA and South Korea, which Pyongyang considers to be enemy states. Washington and Seoul have expanded their military cooperation, including joint maneuvers.

Guided missiles can be equipped with nuclear warheads
North Korea is largely isolated internationally due to its nuclear weapons and missile program. Nevertheless, the country has tested a whole range of weapons in recent months. The leadership in Pyongyang justifies this with accusations against South Korea and the USA, which it believes are escalating tensions with large-scale maneuvers.