North Korea fired multiple missiles towards its eastern waters on Wednesday, intensifying regional tensions as leader Kim Jong Un’s powerful sister Kin Yo Jong rejected the possibility of renewed dialogue with Washington without a fundamental change in US policy.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected several missiles launched from the Sondok area in South Hamgyong Province towards the East Sea.
South Korean and US authorities are analysing their specifications and flight details, reports Associated Press.
The latest launches came days after Pyongyang fired around a dozen short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area, marking another escalation in its weapons testing programme.
The launches also coincided with the US midterm elections, adding to tensions between Washington and Pyongyang as President Donald Trump continues to express interest in restoring diplomatic engagement with North Korean leader Kim.
Kim Yo Jong rejects US allegations
The missile launches followed a series of statements by Kim Yo Jong, who dismissed US allegations that North Korea was responsible for stealing more than $6 billion in cryptocurrency from Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.
The FBI attributed the theft to TraderTraitor, a hacking group linked to the North Korean state.
Kim described Washington’s accusations as a political provocation reflecting its longstanding hostile policy towards Pyongyang.
She also rejected the prospect of direct negotiations with the United States, saying North Korea had no reason to meet officials who continued to pursue a confrontational approach.
“It is our clear stand that we have no need to sit face to face with such unreliable and hostile persons who refuse to abandon their policy of confrontation,” she said in a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
Although she acknowledged that dialogue could be an option for peace, she maintained that negotiations were not necessarily in North Korea’s national interest under the current circumstances.
Her remarks come amid speculation over a possible meeting between Trump and Kim later this month.
Trump has previously expressed interest in meeting the North Korean leader, but Pyongyang has yet to indicate that it is prepared to resume talks.
Kim pushes naval expansion
Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un has inspected a major warship under construction at the Nampho Shipyard, signalling another step in North Korea’s efforts to expand its naval capabilities.
According to KCNA, Kim visited the shipyard on Monday and called for a rapid expansion of the country’s naval combat power to counter what he described as hostile threats.
The state media described the vessel as considerably larger than North Korea’s existing 5,000-tonne destroyers.
Although its specifications have not been officially disclosed, military analysts believe it could be a 10,000-tonne-class cruiser.
Kim has previously outlined plans to develop larger warships as part of a broader military modernisation programme, including vessels capable of carrying advanced missile systems.
He also called for modernising the shipyard, increasing automation and expanding its capacity to build and repair warships simultaneously.
The naval expansion reflects Pyongyang’s growing emphasis on strengthening its maritime military capabilities alongside its ballistic missile and nuclear programmes.
Border tensions add to regional concerns
Tensions between the two Koreas have also intensified following landmine explosions near their heavily fortified border in September, which wounded three South Korean soldiers.
Seoul accused Pyongyang of planting the mines and demanded an apology, while North Korea denied responsibility and warned of retaliation.
Pyongyang has also threatened to deploy additional weapons systems near the border and resume propaganda loudspeaker operations directed towards South Korea.
The latest developments underline the growing obstacles to diplomatic engagement, as North Korea continues to expand its military capabilities while rejecting Washington’s demands and allegations.
