North Korea has ramped up its missile launches in recent days, stoking tensions in the Korean peninsula. Pyongyang has fired two more ballistic missiles this week, marking the second launch in a span of three days.
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Japanese government reported Thursday that North Korea fired two more ballistic missiles eastward.
The latest launches followed the launch that took place on Tuesday, the first test of an intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japan in five years. Thursday’s launch was the second in three days that North Korea carried out missile tests.
“This is the sixth time in a short period just counting the ones from the end of September. This absolutely cannot be tolerated,” Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters.
The South Korean JCS said the first missile was fired from North Korea’s capital Pyongyang and the second one was fired 22 minutes later. The launches took place following the abrupt repositioning of the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier to the waters of the peninsula and after the joint drills between the US and South Korea.
The South Korean military condemned the launches in an issued statement, saying that the launches were a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The South Korean National Security Council also said the launches were an “unacceptable challenge” to the international community and warned that there would be a “stronger response” to Pyongyang.
Experts said the missile that was fired in Thursday’s launch was a Hwasong-12 missile, which is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
In response to Tuesday’s launch, South Korea and the United States carried out missile drills by launching four surface-to-air missiles into the sea.
Both countries launched two Army Tactical Missile System missiles that can hit mock targets. The two countries also conducted a bombing drill off the west coast of the peninsula with eight fighter jets.
South Korea’s Yonhap news outlet said the drills aimed to “demonstrate the allies’ capability to deter further provocations.”
Some analysts believe that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un used the isolated nation’s arsenal to pressure Washington to accept Pyongyang as a nuclear state.


Serbia Protests Continue as Thousands Rally Despite Vucic’s Resignation Plan
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms
US, Iran Agree to Halt Attacks Ahead of Doha Talks on Strait of Hormuz
Russian Attacks Kill Four in Ukraine as Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv Come Under Fire
Australia Plans Higher Fines for Social Media Firms Failing to Block Underage Users
Despite its best efforts, Iran won’t be able to toll the Strait of Hormuz. Here’s why
Russian Attacks on Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv Kill 10 as Ukraine Vows Response
US Strikes Iran Again After Strait of Hormuz Tanker Attack Escalates Ceasefire Tensions
Trump Urges Gasoline Retailers to Cut Prices to $2.50 Per Gallon, Warns of Legal Action
Iran Skips U.S. Technical Talks Over Unmet MoU Conditions and Frozen Funds Dispute
Taiwan Coast Guard Officer Finds Strength in Faith as China Increases Pressure in Taiwan Strait
Trump Suspends Some Morocco Fertilizer Tariffs to Ease U.S. Supply Shortage
Ukraine Strikes Russian Titan-Barrikady Plant With Long-Range FP-5 Flamingo Missile
Andy Burnham Sets Out Vision to Decentralize Britain as Labour Leadership Race Begins
Maria Corina Machado Vows Return to Venezuela After Earthquakes Despite Obstacles
Russia Intensifies Assault on Kostiantynivka as Ukraine’s Donetsk Defense Faces Mounting Pressure 



