North Korea Launches Ballistic Missiles Amid Rising Tensions
On November 5, 2024, North Korea launched at least seven ballistic missiles from its east coast, according to Japan's defense minister Gen Nakatani. The missiles, which were fired from the vicinity of Sariwon in North Hwanghae Province around 7:30 a.m. local time, reached an altitude of 100 kilometers and traveled approximately 400 kilometers before landing outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. This military action comes in the wake of North Korea's recent test of a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-19, and is seen as a direct response to ongoing military exercises conducted by the United States in conjunction with South Korea and Japan.
The missile launches occurred just hours before the U.S. presidential election, raising concerns about regional stability. In light of the situation, the U.S. military has stated that it is closely consulting with its regional allies, including South Korea and Japan, to monitor the developments. North Korea's military activities have been increasingly aggressive, and the recent launches highlight the ongoing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, particularly as North Korea continues to enhance its ballistic and nuclear capabilities.
