N. Korea launches cruise missile in the wake of tensions over lifting nuclear moratorium Reuters

By Cynthia Kim and Hyonhee Shin

SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea fired two cruise missiles from its east coast on Tuesday, the South Korean military said, adding that tensions in recent gun tests had increased.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff did not specify the range or trajectory of the missiles, but said they were conducting an investigation with U.S. authorities.

The shooting was in North Korea’s fifth year of testing of a guided tactical missile https://www.reuters.com/article/northkorea-missiles-idINL1N2TX006, two “hypersonic missiles https://www.reuters.com/article/northkorea “missiles-idINL1N2TX006” is capable of high speed and maneuverability after being lifted, and a missile system transported by rail https://www.reuters.com/article/northkorea-missiles-idINL1N2TX006.

Tensions are rising, with leader Kim Jong Un vowing to strengthen the military last week and warning that he could lift a self-imposed moratorium on atomic bombs and long-range missile testing.

North Korea has not fired intercontinental ballistic missiles or nuclear weapons since 2017, but began testing a range of shorter-range missiles after a 2019 summit with the United States after stopping denuclearization talks.

The latest wave of tests prompted the U.S. to push for new UN sanctions, followed by Pyongyang’s heated reaction.

The UN Security Council has banned North Korea from firing on all ballistic technology, but not on cruise missiles. China and Russia have called on Pyongyang’s state to lift its ban on the export of seafood and textiles and to raise the import limit for refined oil.

South Korean Unification Minister Lee In-young, who is in charge of cross-border links, called on the North to return to talks, not to escalate further.

“While we are preparing well for further tests, we want to reiterate that dialogue and cooperation are the only way to peace,” he said at a meeting with Seoul-based foreign diplomats.

Japanese Cabinet Secretary-General Hirokazu Matsuno has not confirmed the final test, but Tokyo has said it will work with neighbors to gather and analyze the necessary information.

Lee Sang-min, a military expert at the Korean Institute of Defense Analysis, said the recent missile surge could be aimed at building geopolitical tensions and perhaps pushing the United States to pursue a new strategy with Kim.

“Cross-country missiles are slower than ballistic missiles, so they are considered less of a threat, but they hit targets more accurately, something that North Korea would continue to develop,” Leek said.

North Korea has said it is open to dialogue, but only if the United States and its allies reject “hostile policy” measures, such as sanctions and military exercises.