North Korea launches ballistic missiles during Blinken’s visit to Seoul

• The missiles were interpreted as a calculated attempt to attract attention during the visit.
• North Korea has condemned such exercises as rehearsals for invasion.
• Blinken reaffirmed the US’s commitment to the ROK’s security after meeting Yoon.

On Monday, North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles, a move analysts interpreted as a calculated attempt to attract attention while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited South Korea for talks. Blinken, attending the third Summit for Democracy, met with President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul early Monday. He is also holding discussions with his South Korean counterpart on the sidelines of the event, with the focus now expected to be on the allies’ efforts to counter threats from the nuclear-armed North.

Last week, Washington and Seoul concluded one of their major annual joint military training exercises, leading to angry retorts and live-fire drills from nuclear-armed Pyongyang.

North Korea condemns all such exercises as rehearsals for invasion. Seoul’s military reported that it had detected the launch of “multiple short-range ballistic missiles” early Monday. These missiles flew approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles) before descending into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.

“We are closely sharing relevant information with the US and Japan and are maintaining utmost readiness,” the Joint Chiefs of Staff added.

Spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that after meeting Yoon, Blinken “condemned the launch of ballistic missiles by the DPRK and reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to the ROK’s security.” He referred to North and South Korea by their official names. Japan’s top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi reported that the North had fired three short-range ballistic missiles, which landed outside of the country and did not cause any damage.

The launches occurred just days after Seoul and Washington concluded their annual Freedom Shield drills, which this year involved double the number of troops, ending on Thursday. Pyongyang issued a warning earlier this month, stating that Seoul and Washington would pay a “dear price” over the drills. Later, North Korean leader Kim Jong UN announced that he had guided an artillery unit capable of striking the South Korean capital.

“It’s a highly calculated move timing-wise by Pyongyang to fire multiple missiles to show they are capable of doing such an act even when the top US diplomat is in town,” Professor Choi Gi-il of military studies at Sangji University said.

Han Kwon-hee of the Korea Association of Defense Industry Studies stated that North Korea typically stages missile launches “as a tit-for-tat” after US-South Korea joint drills. He mentioned that Blinken’s presence further motivates them, as it “means more attention from Washington and adds pressure on host Seoul.” Monday’s ballistic missile test marks the North’s second this year, following Pyongyang’s launch of one tipped with a maneuverable hypersonic warhead on January 14.

Blinken arrived in South Korea on Sunday afternoon ahead of the democracy summit, which runs from March 18 to 20 and will convene government officials, NGOs, and civil society members. Seoul, one of Washington’s key regional allies, hosts approximately 27,000 American soldiers stationed in the South to assist in protecting it against the nuclear-armed North. Conservative President Yoon has strengthened ties with Washington and aimed to reconcile with former colonial power Japan to enhance defenses against Pyongyang’s threats.

So far this year, Pyongyang has declared South Korea its “principal enemy,” disbanded agencies dedicated to reunification and outreach, and issued threats of war over “even 0.001 mm” of territorial infringement.

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