North Korea fires multiple missiles as tensions rise with U.S. and South Korea

North Korea fired multiple missiles into the sea off its east coast on Wednesday, South Korea's Defence Ministry said, in Pyongyang's fourth weapons launch in a month.

The missiles were launched from the Sondok area on North Korea's east coast, according to Seoul's Defence Ministry.

South Korea and the U.S. are analysing the launches and remain on alert for further provocations, the ministry said.

Pyongyang has carried out several weapons tests this year, including a missile launch covering more than 900 kilometres and tests involving hypersonic missiles.

The latest launches have fuelled concerns over North Korea's growing missile capabilities and possible military cooperation with Russia.

Kim Yo Jong rules out dialogue with Washington

The launches came just hours after Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, dismissed the prospect of talks with Washington unless the U.S. abandons what she called its hostile policy towards North Korea.

Kim also denied North Korea's involvement in a cyberattack on cryptocurrency exchange Binance, rejecting FBI accusations that Pyongyang was behind the theft.

• North Korea calls U.S. claims linking it to $6bn Binance hack 'absurd rhetoric'
• Binance Heist: Can crypto losses affect regular currency?
• Experts link record Binance heist to North Korean cyber group

The missile launches followed a separate report from North Korean state media that Kim Jong Un had visited a naval shipyard where a destroyer is being built.

During the visit, he stressed the need to strengthen North Korea's naval power as part of its broader military development.

Missile tests raise prospect of mass production

The recent wave of missile tests could suggest North Korea is nearing the final stages of preparations for mass production, potentially including weapons destined for Russia, according to Lee Choon-geun, a missile expert and board member at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).

Lee said extensive testing is typically needed before missiles can enter mass production and be deployed by the military.

He added that Pyongyang may be carrying out further trials ahead of potential large-scale missile exports to Russia, with testing required before shipments begin.

Read more:

• North Korea says defence research institutes tested major weapon system
• North Korea fires around 10 ballistic missiles from east coast
• South Korea - North Korea: Tensions rise as Pyongyang orders border troops to take ‘resolute action’

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North Korea South Korea Missile Tests Kim Jong Un United States Russia