On May 8, 2025, South Korea’s military stated that North Korea had launched several short-range ballistic missiles from the eastern port city of Wonsan towards the East Sea. This is the sixth such military action this year, with the last missile launch by North Korea occurring on March 10.
According to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, the missiles were launched at around 8:10 a.m. local time, and the military is currently analyzing their flight distance and technical parameters while enhancing surveillance measures. They are closely sharing intelligence with the United States and Japan.
As reported by the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), on the morning of May 8, North Korea launched what appeared to be ballistic missiles that are believed to have fallen outside Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Japan’s Defense Ministry released a statement at 9:25 a.m. emphasizing ongoing intelligence gathering and heightened vigilance. Earlier, South Korea’s military reported that North Korea had fired a ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan on the same day. Japan’s assessment indicates that this may have been another missile, demonstrating multiple launches by North Korea within a short period.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, interviewed by the media upon entering the Prime Minister’s Office that morning, stated, “I have issued instructions to thoroughly investigate the relevant details, and will listen to the report that follows.” Prior to this, he had instructed relevant departments to collect and analyze information diligently, and to ensure the safety of aircraft and vessels.
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have been escalating recently. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been accelerating the development of nuclear weapons and missiles, as well as deepening military cooperation with Russia. Recent reports in North Korean state media indicated that Kim had ordered an increase in shell production capacity, highlighting the continued warming of relations between the two sides.
Since 2006, the United Nations Security Council has passed multiple resolutions prohibiting North Korea from engaging in any activities involving ballistic missile technology and imposing sanctions. However, North Korea continues to ignore these prohibitions, frequently launching missiles that pose a significant threat to regional and global security.
(This article references relevant reports from the Associated Press and Reuters)