North Korea fires missiles as tensions with Washington deepen

Seoul, Nov. 4 (SANA) North Korea fired multiple missiles toward the East Sea early Wednesday, South Korea ‘s military said, marking Pyongyang’s fourth weapons launch in a month as tensions with Washington escalated over U.S. accusations linking North Korean hackers to a cryptocurrency theft worth more than $6 billion.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the missiles were launched from the Sondok area in South Hamgyong Province, on North Korea’s eastern coast.

A JCS official said South Korean authorities were analyzing the missiles’ specifications, adding that the possibility of different types of missiles being launched remained under consideration. Their exact types and impact areas had yet to be determined.

South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency quoted the JCS as saying the military was closely monitoring North Korea’s activities in coordination with the United States and maintaining a strong combined defense posture, while remaining prepared to respond firmly to any potential provocations.

Pyongyang rejects renewed dialogue

The latest launch came hours after Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and a senior official, reiterated Pyongyang’s rejection of renewed dialogue with Washington unless the United States abandoned what she described as its hostile policy toward North Korea.

In statements carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim criticized U.S. accusations that North Korean hackers were responsible for stealing more than $6 billion in cryptocurrency from Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.

She described the FBI’s announcement attributing the theft to North Korean hackers as a political provocation, saying Pyongyang had no reason to engage in talks with parties it considered unreliable and hostile.

Kim said dialogue could be an option for achieving peace but did not necessarily serve North Korea’s national interests under the current circumstances.

The FBI attributed the theft to a North Korean hacking group known as TraderTraitor, while Pyongyang denied involvement.

Weapons development and regional tensions

The latest missile launch comes amid intensified weapons testing by North Korea this year, including tests of missiles capable of traveling more than 900 kilometers and hypersonic weapons.

North Korean state media have also reported that Kim Jong Un visited the Nampho Shipyard, where he inspected construction of a major naval vessel and stressed the importance of developing a powerful naval force.

Missile expert Lee Choon-geun has suggested that the frequency of the tests could indicate preparations for mass production and deployment, potentially including missiles intended for export to Russia.

The developments come against the backdrop of continuing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, including disputes over border security and military activities between the two Koreas.

North Korea fired around 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea from the Wonsan area last Thursday, following a South Korean proposal to hold military talks with Pyongyang on border issues.

South Korea continues to coordinate its military response with the United States amid concerns over North Korea’s missile tests and expanding military capabilities.