North Korea's Missile Launches Follow Naval Mishap: What You Need to Know

North Korea has recently conducted multiple cruise missile launches into the East Sea, coinciding with a significant naval mishap during the unveiling of a new destroyer. Kim Jong-un condemned the incident as intolerable, while military analysts suspect the missiles were launched from a maritime platform. The South Korean military is closely monitoring these developments to ensure security and readiness. This article delves into the implications of these actions and the ongoing military preparations by North Korea, including recent air combat drills overseen by Kim. Stay informed about the evolving situation in the region.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 22, 2025, 13:48 IST

Missile Launches Amid Naval Incident

On Thursday, North Korea launched several cruise missiles into the East Sea, as reported by South Korea's military. This event occurred just a day after a significant incident during the unveiling of a new warship in Pyongyang.

Earlier that day, North Korea announced that components of the new destroyer were severely damaged during its launch ceremony, with leader Kim Jong-un condemning the incident as a 'criminal act' that must not be overlooked.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) of South Korea detected the missile launches around 9 a.m. from the Sondok region in South Hamgyong Province, but did not disclose the exact number of missiles involved.

Military analysts suspect that the missiles may have been launched from a maritime platform, and they are currently collaborating with U.S. intelligence to conduct a thorough analysis.

In February of the previous year, North Korea tested a new surface-to-sea missile known as Padasuri-6. Authorities are investigating whether the recent launch involved a variant of this anti-ship missile.

The JCS is vigilantly observing North Korean activities to prevent any miscalculations regarding the security landscape, asserting that they are prepared to respond decisively to any provocations.

This month, North Korea has conducted several military displays, including the firing of multiple short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on May 8.

Typically, South Korean military officials do not immediately announce cruise missile launches from North Korea, unlike ballistic missile launches, which are prohibited under UN Security Council resolutions, according to reports from a news agency.

On May 17, Kim Jong-un supervised air combat and air raid exercises conducted by an air force unit, emphasizing the necessity for ongoing and enhanced military readiness across all branches.

During his visit to the flight group under the Guards 1st Air Division of the Korean People's Army, Kim urged all military units to significantly improve their war preparedness, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The recent drills were designed to train air crews and anti-air missile, radar, and electronic warfare units to effectively detect, track, and neutralize enemy cruise missiles and drones. The exercises included testing a new long-range precision glide-guided bomb, target attack simulations, and training for destroying enemy drones using helicopters, as well as precision strikes on naval targets and reconnaissance operations with drones.