South Korea

NKorea Launches Ballistic Missiles Towards Sea of Japan

Published NOV 5 2024

Story

Above: A man watches a television showing a news broadcast with file footage of a North Korean missile test at a railway station in Seoul on Nov. 5, 2024. Image credit: Anthony Wallace/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

The Facts

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that North Korea launched a volley of ballistic missiles into the sea off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula toward the Sea of Japan, early Tuesday morning local time.
Al Jazeera
Pyongyang launched at least seven missiles. They flew 250 miles (400 km) at a maximum altitude of 60 miles (100 km) before crashing into the water between North Korea and Japan, according to Japan's Defense Ministry.
The Associated Press
The US Indo-Pacific Command stated in a statement that they had reviewed the situation and deemed that the launch "does not pose an immediate threat to US personnel, or territory, or to our allies." The US military said that it will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Dw.Com
Last week, Pyongyang conducted a test of its latest intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the United States. Following the missile launch, the US deployed a long-range B-1B bomber to the region in a trilateral exercise with Japan and South Korea as a show of force.
ABC News
On Tuesday, Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korea's Supreme Leader, condemned the latest military drill by the US and its regional allies, accusing them of making "aggressive and adventuristic military threats."
ABC News
The launch comes as tensions between North and South Korea have reached a recent high, with some reports indicating that the North is supplying Russia with weaponry and personnel to support the Kremlin's efforts in the Ukraine conflict.
France 24

Sources Split

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CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

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PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

These latest North Korean missile launches are unacceptable. To maintain peace and security across the Korean Peninsula and beyond, Pyongyang must stop its provocative and destabilizing acts. North Korea must also promptly resume disarmament talks instead of cooperating with Russia by providing weapons and soldiers.

Time

Establishment-critical narrative

The US and its regional allies are responsible for the escalating military threats against North Korea, which have heightened tensions on the peninsula. The latest missile tests should prompt a re-evaluation of the American approach to the region. North Korea, Russia, and China have never been closer, and the US must reconsider its policies if it wants to ensure its security in the future.

KCNA Watch