North Korea Fires Short-Range Ballistic Missiles; Japan and South Korea Protest

The South Korean military announced that North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles off its eastern coast on Thursday, September 13, marking the first launch of this type in over two months. The South Korean military did not specify the number of missiles fired but stated that they traveled approximately 360 kilometers before falling into the sea. In a statement, the South Korean military said, "The missile launch by North Korea is a blatant provocation that seriously threatens peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and we strongly condemn it." Japan's Ministry of Defense also reported that at least two ballistic missiles from North Korea flew over 350 kilometers and reached an altitude of about 100 kilometers. Fumio Kishida, the Prime Minister of Japan, stated that Tokyo has strongly condemned North Korea's missile launch and expressed its protest against the country. Two weeks prior, North Korea claimed to have successfully tested new "suicide drones" in the presence of Kim Jong-un. North Korean state media reported on Monday, September 5, that the country's "suicide drones" were able to hit hypothetical targets, including a mock tank, after flying predetermined routes. According to these reports, Kim Jong-un requested researchers in the country to develop "artificial intelligence" for these drones while observing the testing of the new "suicide drones." The media reported that Kim Jong-un called for the production of more suicide drones, including underwater suicide drones, as well as strategic reconnaissance and multi-purpose drones. North Korea has close military ties with Russia and the Islamic Republic of Iran. U.S. and British foreign ministers in Kyiv: Putin has intensified the war by receiving missiles from the Islamic Republic. London protests the sending of ballistic missiles to Russia, and the British Foreign Office summoned the Iranian chargé d'affaires.