North Korea resumed ballistic missile launches on Wednesday morning, marking its first such provocation in two months.
According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, South Korea’s military detected multiple suspected short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) launched from the Wonsan region towards the East Sea at approximately 8:10 a.m.
Military authorities stated that information regarding the launch is being closely shared with U.S. and Japanese counterparts. In response, South Korea has reinforced its surveillance and readiness posture to prepare for potential additional provocations.
The last time North Korea launched ballistic missiles was on March 10, when it fired multiple rounds toward the West Sea – an action widely interpreted as a show of force in response to the U.S.–South Korea joint military exercise Freedom Shield (FS).
In terms of broader military provocations, the latest test follows just ten days after North Korea launched cruise missiles from its new 5,000-ton destroyer, Choi Hyun, on April 28–29. At the time, North Korea claimed to have tested hypersonic cruise missiles, strategic cruise missiles, and anti-aircraft missiles.
North Korea has recently underscored its commitment to military modernization through Kim Jong Un’s series of public appearances at key defense sites.
On Wednesday, state media Rodong Sinmun reported that Kim visited a munition factory, ordering increased artillery production and claiming output had reached four times the usual level. Earlier, on May 4, he was reported to have visited a major tank manufacturing facility.
Late last month, Kim also attended the launch ceremony of the Choi Hyun, described as North Korea’s version of an Aegis-class destroyer. On April 4, he inspected a special operations training base. In March, Kim visited a nuclear-powered submarine construction site, and reviewed unmanned reconnaissance aircraft and AI-operated suicide drones, further illustrating the regime’s military focus.