North Korea launches missiles as it dials up pressure against U.S.
North Korea launched two ballistic missiles toward the sea off its east coast within a three-hour window. South Korea and Japan confirmed the test launches, while North Korea's state media, KCNA, reported the tests involved a new combat weapon system. The launches are intended to increase pressure on the U.S. and are described by North Korean officials as a means to give enemies an incurable headache. Kim Jong Un has praised the development as a new-type weapon.
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- ✓ North Korea fired two ballistic missiles off its east coast within three hours.
- ✓ South Korea and Japan reported the ballistic missile test launches.
- ✓ North Korea is using the launches to increase pressure on the United States.
- ✓ KCNA reported the testing of a new combat weapon system.
What changed
North Korea conducted two ballistic missile tests and claimed the deployment of a new hypersonic combat weapon system.
Live updates
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North Korea Fires Ballistic Missiles to Pressure United States
North Korea launched two ballistic missiles toward the sea off its east coast within a three-hour window. South Korea and Japan confirmed the test launches, while North Korea's state media, KCNA, reported the tests involved a new combat weapon system. The launches are intended to increase pressure on the U.S. and are described by North Korean officials as a means to give enemies an incurable headache. Kim Jong Un has praised the development as a new-type weapon.
Why it matters
These launches occur as Pyongyang seeks to escalate diplomatic and military pressure on Washington. The introduction of new combat systems suggests a push to modernize North Korea's strategic arsenal.
What is confirmed
- North Korea fired two ballistic missiles off its east coast within three hours.
- South Korea and Japan reported the ballistic missile test launches.
- North Korea is using the launches to increase pressure on the United States.
- KCNA reported the testing of a new combat weapon system.
Still unconfirmed
- The new weapons system is hypersonic.
- One of the projectiles was not a ballistic missile.
What to watch next
- Formal diplomatic responses from the U.S. and South Korean governments.
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (15)
- Reuters — North Korea fires two missiles off east coast in three hours
- CNN — North Korea fires two ballistic missiles off east coast in three hours
- AP News — North Korea launches 2 ballistic missiles toward the sea and dials up pressure on the US
- Politico — South Korea says North Korea launched a ballistic missile and another projectile toward the sea
- cbsnews.com — North Korea launches missiles as it dials up pressure against U.S.
- The Japan Times — North Korea fires off two ballistic missiles
- Euronews.com — North Korea launches 'suspected ballistic missile' into East Sea
- ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — North Korea test-launches ballistic missiles, South Korea and Japan say
- Yahoo — North Korea fires two suspected ballistic missiles off east coast within three hours
- News.com.au — ‘Grave act’: North Korea has world on edge
- stripes.com — North Korea fires two ballistic missiles off east coast
- Reuters — North Korea says it tests new combat weapon system, KCNA reports
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