North Korea fires 10 missiles from Wonsan as border friction intensifies

South Korea's military detected approximately 10 short-range ballistic missiles fired from Wonsan on the North Korean east coast on Thursday. The Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that each missile traveled roughly 250 kilometers, or 155 miles, into the eastern sea. Japan's Defense Ministry also confirmed the detection of a suspected ballistic missile launch.

The launches occurred days after North Korea threatened to resume front-line propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts. Pyongyang also stated it would place new weapons systems on alert along the border. This move followed accusations by South Korea that North Korean troops fired repeated warning shots in border areas.

Tensions have escalated since last month, when land mine blasts injured three South Korean soldiers. Seoul accused North Korea of planting mines south of the military demarcation line and demanded an apology. Pyongyang denied responsibility and warned of retaliation if provoked. South Korea proposed talks to clarify the border to prevent accidental clashes, but North Korea has not responded.

Journalists from the Associated Press visited a South Korean border town earlier this week and observed North Korean artillery guns on the opposite side of the border that were not previously visible. In recent years, North Korea has installed additional mines, barbed-wire fences, and other defense structures along the boundary. This construction aligns with Kim Jong Un's policy of severing ties with the South. Seoul claims North Korean troops have violated the border during this work and have fired warning shots in response, a claim Pyongyang denies.

The missile barrage followed a surprise weekend visit by Kim Jong Un to China. He traveled to the border city of Dandong via a newly inaugurated bridge to pay respect at a memorial marking China's support during the 1950-53 Korean War. This was his sixth visit to China since taking power in late 2011. At the memorial, Kim stated that North Korea will firmly carry forward the invincible friendship with China.

Kim met with Wang Huning, a top Chinese Communist Party official, and reaffirmed his resolve to develop bilateral cooperation. He has recently taken steps to bolster ties with China after years of prioritizing relations with Russia by sending troops and ammunition to support its war against Ukraine. The recent series of weapons tests, which included submarine-launched cruise missiles and hypersonic missiles, appears designed to pressure the United States as President Donald Trump expressed a desire to restore diplomacy.