SEOUL, April 8  (V7N) – North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles on Wednesday morning, just one day after launching a similar projectile from the Pyongyang area, according to South Korea’s military. The missile tests come amid growing tensions between the two Koreas, following South Korea’s expression of regret over January’s civilian drone incursions into the North.

Multiple Missile Launches: South Korea’s military detected “unidentified ballistic missiles” launched from the Wonsan area, traveling approximately 240 kilometers (149 miles) towards the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan. This follows the detection of a similar missile fired from Pyongyang on Tuesday.

South Korea’s Regret Over Drone Incursions: The missile launches come just days after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret for civilian drone incursions into North Korean airspace in January. President Lee called the drone operation “irresponsible” and acknowledged the involvement of government officials in the operation.

North Korea’s Response: Despite South Korea’s diplomatic overtures, including Lee’s regret over the drone incident, North Korea has continued its aggressive posture. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, praised Lee’s expression of regret, calling it “wise behavior.” However, a senior North Korean official dismissed any positive interpretation, reiterating that South Korea is the "enemy state most hostile to the DPRK."

Tensions Over Inter-Korean Relations: Experts suggest that the missile tests are a direct response to South Korea’s attempts at peacebuilding. Lim Eul-chul, a North Korea expert, said the recent actions demonstrate North Korea’s continued determination to reject South Korea’s efforts to improve bilateral relations.

Unwavering North Korean Policy: The launches also follow Kim Jong Un’s March policy address, where he labeled South Korea as the “most hostile state” and reaffirmed his commitment to North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, describing it as an “irreversible course.”

Ongoing Hostilities: The two Koreas technically remain at war, as the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty. Tensions have fluctuated over the years, with periods of both dialogue and military conflict. During former President Yoon Suk Yeol's administration, relations between the two nations sharply deteriorated, particularly after North Korea sent balloons filled with garbage in retaliation for South Korean-led propaganda operations.

Current Legal Tensions: Former President Yoon is currently standing trial for charges that his administration sent drones into North Korea to provoke a backlash, which critics claim served as a pretext for declaring military rule.

The missile tests and the war of words between Seoul and Pyongyang signal that the peace process remains a distant goal. With both countries maintaining hostile stances, the likelihood of diplomatic progress remains uncertain, and the region’s security continues to be precarious.

END/WD/RH/