Aug 06, Kathmandu - North Korea launched at least one unidentified missile towards the East Sea on Thursday, South Korea’s military confirmed. Japan also reported the possible launch of ballistic missiles from North Korea and has been monitoring the situation closely. The latest missile test has heightened regional security tensions in the area.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that North Korea fired an unknown missile towards the eastern maritime region. Japan’s Defense Ministry shared on social media that they detected several ballistic missile launches from North Korea. However, the ministry later clarified that there was no immediate impact on Japanese territories.

This missile test came a day after North Korea accused Japan of expanding its military presence, pushing the region closer to a state of war. Japan has recently announced plans to bolster its security capabilities in the Pacific region.  

Japanese Defense Minister Shinzo Koizumi highlighted this week the increasing security threats from China, Russia, and North Korea, emphasizing the need to strengthen military readiness “immediately and with a sense of crisis.”

Meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, stated through government media that Pyongyang would develop additional military options in response to Japan’s changing military policies.  

Since the failure of the 2019 summit with then-U.S. President Donald Trump, North Korea has declared itself an “unchangeable nuclear power” and has continued expanding its missile and nuclear programs.  

Analysts believe North Korea has strengthened its military and economic ties with Russia, providing Moscow with weapons and military support amid the Ukraine conflict, in exchange for economic aid, food, energy, and military technology.

North Korea has consistently depicted South Korea as its “most hostile” rival. However, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who assumed office in June 2025, has proposed talks with Pyongyang without preconditions. To date, North Korea has not responded officially to these offers.

The Japanese Defense Ministry refused to comment directly on Kim Yo-jong’s recent statements, reaffirming that Japan’s defense policy is solely based on self-defense. It clarified that Japan’s military advancements aim to deter threats rather than threaten other countries.

In 2025, Japan increased its defense budget by 9.7%, reaching $62.2 billion – the highest since 1958. China, North Korea’s key ally, has expressed concerns over what it calls a “rise in new militarism” in Japan.

The Korean War (1950–1953) remains unresolved, ending only with an armistice rather than a peace treaty, leaving North and South Korea technically still at war.