North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan on Saturday, a day after rejecting South Korea's accusation that North Korean mines wounded soldiers in the DMZ. The missile, which flew over 700km, follows heightened tensions over border land mine blasts and South Korea's demand for an apology.
Kim Yo Jong, a top North Korean official, dismissed South Korea's demands as 'utterly pathetic' and warned of retaliatory measures. The missile launch came amid a border fortification effort by North Korea, which has accelerated after Kim Jong Un abandoned reconciliation with the South in 2024.
South Korea's military has confirmed that North Korean mines caused the Sept 21 blast, which injured three soldiers. The UN Command designated the incident a violation of the Korean War armistice, prompting South Korea to call for an end to North Korea's border fortification efforts.
North Korea's missile test may be an attempt to provoke a response from South Korea to Kim Yo Jong's statement, according to analysts. The test could also indicate a new type of missile, with capabilities to evade missile defenses.