<p>Kim Jong-un's North Korea launched ballistic missiles towards the East Sea or Sea of Japan, for the first time in the last two months. The timing of the launch coincided with the visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken&nbsp;to Seoul, where he was attending a conference hosted by President Yoon Suk Yeol.</p>

<p>According to South Korea's military, the missile was fired eastward from the Korean peninsula. Japan's coast guard also confirmed the launch and said that the missile appeared to be ballistic and had already fallen.</p>

<p>Japan later reported detecting a second ballistic missile launch by North Korea, with both reportedly&nbsp;falling outside its exclusive economic zone area.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;North Korea tests new solid-fuel engines to enhance strategic offensive capabilities | WION</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/north-korea-tests-new-solid-fuel-engines-to-enhance-strategic-offensive-capabilities-wion-658747/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Monday's&nbsp;display of military prowess by North Korea came less than four days after the conclusion of&nbsp;large-scale annual joint military drills by South Korea and the United States.</p>

<p>South Korea has now mobilised its military, including marines, attack helicopters, and amphibious assault vehicles, in drills aimed at reinforcing western islands near the sea border with North Korea, an area previously targeted by North Korean bombings in 2010.</p>

<h2><strong>What does it mean?</strong></h2>

<p>North Korea's missile launches coincide with the Summit of Democracy conference in Seoul. The summit is an&nbsp;initiative by US President Joe Biden and aims to address purported&nbsp;concerns regarding democratic backsliding and the erosion of rights and freedoms globally.</p>

<p>Kim Jong-un's actions, thus, attract the attention of the leaders currently congregated in Seoul in another display of the militarily volatile nature&nbsp;of the region.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-claims-north-korea-supplied-russia-with-missiles-for-ukraine-attacks-676691">US claims North Korea supplied Russia with missiles for Ukraine attacks</a></strong></p>

<p>North Korea's last ballistic launch occurred on January 14, when it tested an intermediate-range hypersonic missile using solid fuel.</p>

<p>Later tests included the launch of multiple cruise missiles off its east coast, including a new surface-to-sea missile. At least five cruise missile tests have been conducted by North Korea since January 14.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, at the summit of democracy in Seoul, Blinken said that technology should be employed to sustain democratic values in the face of efforts by authoritarian and repressive regimes.</p>

<p>"As authoritarian and repressive regimes deploy technologies to undermine democracy and human rights, we need to ensure that technology sustains and supports democratic values and norms," he said at the opening of the Summit.<br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Kim Jong-un's North Korea launched ballistic missiles towards the East Sea or Sea of Japan, for the first time in the last two months. The timing of the launch coincided with the visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Seoul, where he was attending a conference hosted by President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Kim Jong-un's North Korea launched ballistic missiles towards the East Sea or Sea of Japan, for the first time in the last two months. The timing of the launch coincided with the visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Seoul, where he was attending a conference hosted by President Yoon Suk Yeol. According to South Korea's military, the missile was fired eastward from the Korean peninsula. Japan's coast guard also confirmed the launch and said that the missile appeared to be ballistic and had already fallen. Japan later reported detecting a second ballistic missile launch by North Korea, with both reportedly falling outside its exclusive economic zone area. Also watch | North Korea tests new solid-fuel engines to enhance strategic offensive capabilities | WION × Monday's display of military prowess by North Korea came less than four days after the conclusion of large-scale annual joint military drills by South Korea and the United States. South Korea has now mobilised its military, including marines, attack helicopters, and amphibious assault vehicles, in drills aimed at reinforcing western islands near the sea border with North Korea, an area previously targeted by North Korean bombings in 2010. What does it mean? North Korea's missile launches coincide with the Summit of Democracy conference in Seoul. The summit is an initiative by US President Joe Biden and aims to address purported concerns regarding democratic backsliding and the erosion of rights and freedoms globally. Kim Jong-un's actions, thus, attract the attention of the leaders currently congregated in Seoul in another display of the militarily volatile nature of the region. Also read | US claims North Korea supplied Russia with missiles for Ukraine attacks North Korea's last ballistic launch occurred on January 14, when it tested an intermediate-range hypersonic missile using solid fuel. Later tests included the launch of multiple cruise missiles off its east coast, including a new surface-to-sea missile. At least five cruise missile tests have been conducted by North Korea since January 14. Meanwhile, at the summit of democracy in Seoul, Blinken said that technology should be employed to sustain democratic values in the face of efforts by authoritarian and repressive regimes. "As authoritarian and repressive regimes deploy technologies to undermine democracy and human rights, we need to ensure that technology sustains and supports democratic values and norms," he said at the opening of the Summit. (With inputs from agencies)

North Korea fires ballistic missiles towards Sea of Japan as Blinken attends key Seoul summit

seoul-summit

Seoul Summit, News on Seoul Summit, stories on Seoul Summit, articles on Seoul Summit, Seoul Summit stories at Wion, Seoul Summit news, Seoul Summit latest news

seoul summit

North Korea fires ballistic missiles towards Sea of Japan as Blinken attends key Seoul summit