North Korea Fires 10 Missiles After Border Tensions Spike

North Korea launched a series of ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Thursday, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. The military detected approximately 10 short-range ballistic missiles fired from the coastal town of Wonsan. Each missile traveled a distance of about 250 kilometers, or 155 miles, before impact.

South Korea's military stated it maintained readiness to repel provocations under its alliance with the United States. Japan's Defense Ministry also confirmed the detection of a suspected ballistic missile launch from the North. This event marks the latest in a string of weapons tests conducted by Pyongyang in recent weeks, which previously included submarine-launched cruise missiles and hypersonic missiles.

The missile barrage comes shortly after leader Kim Jong Un visited China over the weekend. Kim traveled to the border city of Dandong via a newly opened bridge to visit a memorial for the 1950-1953 Korean War. This was his sixth trip to China since taking power in late 2011. At the memorial, he declared that North Korea would firmly continue the friendship with China. He subsequently met with senior Chinese Communist Party official Wang Huning to reaffirm plans for bilateral cooperation.

Tensions between the two Koreas have intensified following land mine blasts at the border last month that injured three South Korean soldiers. Seoul blamed North Korea for planting mines south of the military demarcation line and demanded an apology. Pyongyang denied responsibility and threatened retaliation if provoked. Last week, North Korea announced it would restart front-line propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts and place new weapons systems on alert. Seoul proposed talks to clarify border boundaries, but Pyongyang has not responded.

Associated Press journalists observed new North Korean artillery guns on the other side of the border during a visit to a South Korean border town earlier this week. These weapons were not previously visible from the South. In recent years, North Korea has installed more mines, barbed-wire fences, and defense structures along the border. Seoul has reported that North Korean troops have repeatedly violated the border during these construction efforts, prompting South Korean warning shots. North Korea has denied these alleged breaches.

Experts suggest the recent tests aim to pressure the United States into offering larger concessions. This diplomatic pressure coincides with President Donald Trump's stated desire to restore talks with Kim. Kim has recently moved to strengthen ties with Beijing after years of prioritizing relations with Russia and sending troops to support its war against Ukraine.