U.S., South Korea Test-Fire Missiles in Response to North Korean Launches
The United States and South Korea test-fired eight ballistic missiles from South Korea into the sea in response to North Korea’s ramped-up missile testing this year, including its test-firing of eight missiles yesterday (Yonhap)
U.S., Japan, South Korea Hold Talks on North Korea
At a meeting of senior officials in Seoul, the countries agreed to increase security cooperation in response to North Korea’s recent missile testing. Pyongyang has conducted fifteen missile tests since the start of the year (Kyodo)
China, Russia Block UN Sanctions Against North Korea for First Time
At the UN Security Council, the countries blocked a motion to impose new sanctions on North Korea for its missile testing, stressing dialogue with Pyongyang instead (Yonhap)
China and Russia supported all previous UN sanctions against North Korea since they were first imposed in 2006 (Associated Press)
North Korea Launches Three Missiles
North Korea launched three missiles—including a possible intercontinental ballistic missile—off the country’s eastern coast. In response, U.S. and South Korean militaries launched a land-to-land missile from South Korea to demonstrate an ability to “deter further provocations” and launch “precision strikes” (New York Times)
New South Korean President Sworn In
President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was sworn into office in Seoul, promised to work with international allies to strengthen North Korea’s economy if Pyongyang pursues “complete denuclearization” (Nikkei)
North Korea Fires Ballistic Missile Into Sea
Nort Korea fired a ballistic missile into the sea ahead of South Korea’s presidential transition next week, the South Korean military said (Yonhap)
North Korea’s Kim Vows to Strengthen Nuclear Capabilities
During a military parade, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed to boost the country’s nuclear capabilities at the “fastest possible speed” (Yonhap)
Outgoing South Korean Leader Urges Dialogue With Pyongyang
South Korean President Moon Jae-in, whose term ends on May 9, exchanged letters with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un this week; in his reply, Moon said he will continue to work toward Korean reunification even after his retirement (Yonhap)
U.S. Envoy on North Korea Travels to Seoul
Ambassador Sung Kim, the U.S. Special Representative for North Korea, traveled to Seoul for talks with his South Korean counterpart on North Korea’s recent missile launches (Yonhap)
United States Pushes for Additional Sanctions on North Korea
The United States is urging the UN Security Council to support a resolution that would increase sanctions on North Korea after its recent ballistic missile tests, including banning tobacco exports, halving oil exports, and blacklisting the Lazarus hacking group (Reuters)
U.S. Aircraft Carrier Enters Waters Off South Korea for First Time Since 2017
In an apparent show of force in response to North Korea’s nuclear missile tests, a U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier entered the international waters of the East Sea for the first time since 2017 (Yonhap)
North Korean Leader’s Sister Warns of Nuclear Response
Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, threatened South Korea with a nuclear response if provoked, after Seoul highlighted its pre-emptive strike capabilities (Al Jazeera)
United States Issues New Sanctions on North Korea
In response to recent missile tests, the United States imposed new sanctions on five entities accused of providing support to North Korea’s weapons programs (Reuters)
South Korea Dismisses Pyongyang’s Claim of Hwasong-17 Missile Launch
South Korea’s defense ministry dismissed North Korea’s claim that it launched a Hwasong-17 missile—its longest-range developmental intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)—last week, saying it had determined it was instead a Hwasong-15, a different ICBM that it successfully tested in 2017 (Associated Press)
Incoming South Korean Leader, Chinese President Speak After North Korean Missile Test
South Korean President-Elect Yoon Suk-yeol asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to work together to achieve denuclearization of North Korea shortly after Pyongyang tested a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile (Kyodo)
North Korea Launches First ICBM Since 2017
Officials from the United States, Japan, and South Korea strongly condemned the test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which appeared to fly higher and further than North Korea’s last such launch in 2017 (New York Times)
Conservative Wins South Korean Presidential Election
The People Power Party’s Yoon Suk-yeo, who won South Korea’s presidential election, is expected to draw South Korea closer to the United States and take a more hardline stance against North Korea (ABC)
Separately, North Korea said it would launch new reconnaissance satellites in the coming years to monitor military actions by the United States (Reuters)
United States Increases Missile Defense Readiness, Surveillance After North Korean Tests
Following a “significant increase” in North Korea missile testing, the U.S. military said it increased its surveillance and reconnaissance collection in the Yellow Sea and heightened its missile defense readiness (Reuters)
Separately, South Korea returned a North Korean boat and its seven crew members after it crossed a disputed western sea boundary (Associated Press)
South Korea Fires Warning Shots at North Korean Vessel
South Korea’s defense ministry said it fired warning shots at a North Korean patrol boat that crossed the disputed western sea boundary while chasing an unarmed North Korean vessel (CBS)
Separately, satellite imagery showed construction at Pyongyang’s nuclear testing site for the first time since 2018 (Reuters)
North Korea Launches Another Ballistic Missile, Testing Satellite Systems
Regional military authorities reported a second ballistic missile test by North Korea in less than a week, which North Korean state media reported as an important test for reconnaissance satellite systems (Reuters)
The UN Security Council will discuss North Korea’s recent tests during a closed meeting (Reuters)
United States, Japan, South Korea Affirm Openness to Talks with North Korea
During a meeting in Hawaii, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the foreign ministers of Japan and South Korea said their governments are committed to achieving complete denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and “remain open to dialogue without preconditions” (Kyodo News)
South Korea Calls for U.S.-North Korea Talks
South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who leaves office in May 2022, called for a summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to discuss easing sanctions and nuclear disarmament (Associated Press)
United States Requests United Nations Security Council Meeting on North Korea
The United States requested a United Nations Security Council meeting to discuss North Korea’s recent missile test (Reuters)
North Korea Tests Biggest Missile Since 2017
Pyongyang tested an intermediate-range ballistic missile yesterday, the largest in a string of launches this month (Nikkei)
In response, the United States reportedly called for North Korea to join direct talks on its nuclear activities (Reuters)
South Korean President Moon Jae-in said yesterday that North Korea appears to be moving closer to ending a self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests (Yonhap)
North Korea Confirms Missile Tests
North Korean media said that the country conducted two rounds of missile tests this week and leader Kim Jong-un visited a munitions factory (Yonhap)