North Korea launches missiles toward eastern waters in 2nd launch of year, South says

South Korea's military stated on Tuesday that North Korea test-fired multiple missiles into its eastern waters, marking a continuation of North Korea's weapons demonstrations ahead of Donald Trump's potential return to the White House. According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, these short-range ballistic missiles were launched from North Korea's northern inland region and flew approximately 250 kilometers before landing in the sea between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff indicated that the South Korean military has heightened surveillance and shared launch information with the U.S. and Japanese militaries. They strongly condemned the test, calling it a "clear provocation" that poses a serious threat to peace and stability in the region. This is North Korea's second launch activity in 2025, following a ballistic missile launch the previous week.

North Korea stated that the January 6th test involved a new type of hypersonic intermediate-range missile designed to strike long-range targets in the Pacific region. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has vowed to further expand his nuclear arsenal to counter hostile nations. North Korea conducted intensive weapons testing in 2024, including solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to strike the U.S. mainland, as well as various short-range missiles intended to overwhelm South Korean missile defenses. Concerns are growing that North Korea's military capabilities may be further enhanced through Russian technology transfers as it aligns with Russia over the war in Ukraine.

At the end-of-year political meetings, Kim Jong-un pledged to implement the "toughest" anti-U.S. policies and criticized the Biden administration for strengthening security cooperation with Seoul and Tokyo, which he described as an "aggressive nuclear military bloc." North Korean state media did not specify Kim Jong-un's policy plans or mention any comments about Trump. During Trump's first term as president, he met with Kim Jong-un three times to negotiate North Korea's nuclear program.

Even with Trump's potential return to the White House, a swift resumption of diplomacy with North Korea is unlikely. Experts suggest that Kim Jong-un's strengthened position, bolstered by his expanded nuclear arsenal, a deepening alliance with Russia, and weakened enforcement of U.S. international sanctions, presents new challenges for resolving the nuclear impasse.