[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] On the afternoon of the 15th, North Korea launched two ballistic missiles from the central inland area toward the East Sea, prompting major foreign media to urgently report the news.
On that day, AP, AFP, Bloomberg, and others reported North Korea's missile launch, citing the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Japan Coast Guard.
Foreign media focused on the fact that this ballistic missile launch occurred just two days after North Korea announced on the 13th that it had successfully test-fired a long-range cruise missile.
AP News reported that North Korea referred to the cruise missile at the time as a "very important strategic weapon," suggesting that the missile is being developed with the intention of carrying a nuclear warhead.
Many experts evaluated that amid the stalemate in nuclear negotiations between North Korea and the United States, North Korea is testing missiles to strengthen its arsenal.
AP News pointed out that nuclear negotiations between North Korea and the U.S. have been stalled since 2019, and North Korea has refused dialogue proposals even after the inauguration of the Biden administration.
AFP explained that although North Korea's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs are banned under international sanctions, cruise missiles are not subject to sanctions.
Bloomberg reported that North Korea launched missiles just months after it began enhancing its fissile material production capabilities.
In this regard, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently analyzed in a report that North Korea appears to have resumed plutonium production, the raw material for nuclear weapons, at the Yongbyon nuclear facility.
Foreign media reported that the missile launch took place while Wang Yi, China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister?North Korea's closest ally and largest trading partner?was visiting South Korea.
AFP stated, "This missile launch occurred while Foreign Minister Wang Yi was in Seoul for talks with the South Korean side," adding, "China is North Korea's key diplomatic ally and major trade and aid partner."
However, the relationship between the two countries has been affected since early last year by North Korea's self-imposed border closure following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bloomberg reported that Foreign Minister Wang Yi is discussing North Korea's nuclear program during this visit to South Korea.
Japan's Kyodo News, citing the Ministry of Defense, reported that the missiles launched by North Korea on this day appeared to have fallen outside Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The Ministry of Defense pointed out, "The recent continuous tests of North Korea's ballistic missiles and other projectiles are a serious issue not only for Japan but for the entire international community."
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