North Korea Launches Ballistic Missile into East Sea... Second Show of Force under Lee Administration

On November 7, North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the East Sea. This marks the second launch since the inauguration of the Lee Jaemyung administration and comes 16 days after the previous launch on October 22.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced via text message that "at approximately 12:35 p.m. on the 7th, our military detected an unidentified projectile, presumed to be a ballistic missile, launched from the Daegwan area in North Pyongan Province toward the East Sea." They added, "In preparation for additional launches, we have strengthened surveillance and vigilance, and we are maintaining a heightened state of readiness while closely sharing relevant information with the United States and Japan."

The military is currently analyzing the specifications of the ballistic missile launched by North Korea, including its type and range.

North Korea's ballistic missile provocation is interpreted as a response to the recent series of sanctions imposed by the U.S. government. On November 4 (local time), the U.S. Department of the Treasury newly designated eight North Korean nationals and two North Korea-based institutions involved in laundering proceeds from the regime's cybercrimes as targets of sanctions. In response, on the previous day, Kim Euncheol, Vice Minister for U.S. Affairs at North Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, issued a statement declaring, "Since the U.S. administration has made clear its intention to remain hostile toward us to the end, we too will respond accordingly with patience for as long as necessary." The ballistic missile launch is believed to have occurred just one day after this statement.