IRIA News

North Korea launched short-range ballistic missiles on March 18, 2024, toward eastern waters for the first time in the last two months. The missile launch came as the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived to commence a democracy summit in neighboring South Korea.

According to South Korea’s military, multiple short-range missiles traveled approximately 300 kilometers, after being launched between 7:44 A.M. and 8:22 A.M. local time. The missile launch was detected near Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea.

The statement added that the missile launches were a “clear provocation” by the North Korean administration and said it was sharing information on them with the United States and Japan.

The Japanese Defense Ministry also reported that three missiles were fired from North Korea. It said the missile traveled around 350 kilometers with a peak altitude of 50 kilometers.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida denounced the launches following the report from his country’s coast guard. “North Korea’s series of actions threaten the peace and security of our region and the international community, and are absolutely unacceptable,” Kishida said, calling the launch a violation of U.N. resolutions.

The U.S. State Department also condemned the launches, saying they violated several U.N. Security Council resolutions as well as posed a threat to the region.

Missiles for Russia

South Korea’s Defense Minister Shin Won-sik, said the North has been testing a new type of short-range missiles in recent weeks, and Seoul and Washington are monitoring whether those weapons were meant to be sent to Russia.

“It is unclear whether the missiles are for frontline reinforcement or exports to Russia,” he told a news conference. “But there is a significant possibility that they were making final performance checks before exporting them to Russia.” 

Shin stated that North Korea has sent approximately 7,000 containers, primarily containing munitions, to Russia since July last year. The weapons and munition are being by Russian forces in Ukraine. He had previously estimated the number at about 6,700 containers in late February.

In exchange, North Korea has received fuel and food shipments, which seem to have provided temporary relief from shortages and other economic challenges since late last year, Shin further elaborated.

The show of force by Pyongyang comes shortly after the militaries of South Korea and the United States finished 10 days of large-scale annual joint military drills last week. North Korean leader repeatedly condemned the military drills and called for their troops to “prepare for war” as North Korean forces conducted military drills of their own.

Following the drills and increasing tensions, the South Korean military deployed marines, attack helicopters, and amphibious assault vehicles along the North Korean maritime border to bolster the reinforcement of its western islands.

Summit for Democracy

Amid the worsening security situation in the region, South Korea is hosting the third Summit for Democracy. The summit, initiated by U.S. President Joe Biden, seeks to address strategies for halting the decline of democracy and the erosion of rights and freedoms on a global scale. This is the first time that a country other than the U.S. is hosting the summit.

The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is among the senior officials from around the world attending the Summit for Democracy conference. Blinken is set to meet his South Korean counterpart, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, during the summit.

Met with @President_KR in Seoul today before the first day of the third Summit for Democracy and reiterated our continued resolve in the face of the DPRK’s hostile rhetoric and destabilizing activities. pic.twitter.com/yxd0PsSH1d

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 18, 2024

Seoul stands as one of Washington’s primary regional allies, with approximately 27,000 American troops stationed in South Korea to assist in its defense against the nuclear-capable North.

Under the leadership of President Yoon Suk Yeol, a conservative figure, South Korea has strengthened its relations with Washington and endeavored to reconcile with Japan, its former colonial ruler, to enhance its defenses against threats from Pyongyang.

Before he arrived in Seoul on March 18, Blinken made a short visit to Bahrain, during which he engaged in discussions with King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa regarding efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.