North Korea Launches Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile Amid US-South Korea Talks

KRKorea|

North Korea has conducted its first ballistic missile launch in two months, firing an intermediate-range missile into the waters east of the peninsula. The missile traveled approximately 1,100 kilometers before falling into the sea, according to South Korean military reports, which condemned the event as a "clear act of provocation."

The missile test coincides with the visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Seoul, where he met with key South Korean leaders, including acting president Choi Sang-mok. Blinken emphasized the significance of the US-South Korea alliance as a "cornerstone of peace and stability on the Korean peninsula."

In response to the missile launch, South Korea's military affirmed that it has intensified monitoring efforts and is collaborating closely with the United States and Japan to share information about current and future launches. This incident further complicates the political landscape in South Korea, which has been tumultuous due to the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol and recent controversies surrounding martial law declarations.

North Korea's recent missile launches, the last of which occurred in November, reflect ongoing tensions in the region, with international observers concerned about the North's continued military provocations under Kim Jong Un's leadership.

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