North Korea Launches Ballistic Missiles Toward Sea of Japan During Blinken's Attendance at Crucial Seoul Summit

Defense News ,North Korea :-  Kim Jong-un's North Korea fired ballistic missiles towards the East Sea or Sea of Japan, breaking a two-month silence in missile tests. This happened while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Seoul, attending a conference hosted by President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The South Korean military stated that the missile was launched from the eastern part of the Korean peninsula. Japan's coast guard confirmed the launch and reported that the missile seemed to be ballistic and had landed.

Japan later announced a second ballistic missile launch by North Korea, both landing outside Japan's economic zone area.

This missile display came soon after South Korea and the United States wrapped up large-scale annual joint military exercises.

South Korea reacted by mobilizing its military forces, including marines, attack helicopters, and amphibious assault vehicles. They conducted drills to strengthen defense around western islands near North Korea, an area previously attacked by North Korea in 2010.

What Does It Mean?

North Korea's missile launches occurred during the Summit of Democracy conference in Seoul. This summit, initiated by US President Joe Biden, aims to address concerns about declining democracy and freedoms worldwide.

Kim Jong-un's actions draw attention from leaders gathered in Seoul, highlighting the volatile nature of the region.

North Korea's last ballistic launch was on January 14, testing an intermediate-range hypersonic missile using solid fuel. Since then, they've conducted multiple tests, including launching cruise missiles off their east coast, including a new surface-to-sea missile.

Meanwhile, at the Summit of Democracy, Blinken emphasized the importance of technology in upholding democratic values against authoritarian regimes.

"As authoritarian regimes use technology to undermine democracy and human rights, we must ensure that technology supports democratic values and norms," Blinken stated during the summit's opening.

In summary, North Korea's missile launches coincide with a significant diplomatic event, raising concerns about regional stability amidst efforts to uphold democratic principles globally.