North Korea launches five missiles in April
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- North Korea launched five missiles in April, the highest monthly count since January 2024, including ballistic, anti‑ship cruise and cluster munitions.
- Kim Jong Un declared at the February Workers’ Party congress that North Korea’s nuclear weapons state is “irreversible and permanent,” framing the missile tests as a front‑load of visible achievements.
- Russia deepened strategic ties with Pyongyang, giving North Korea a diplomatic shield as it escalates missile testing while the US focuses on Iran.
- Lim Eul‑chul noted the tests show miniaturised nuclear warheads and saturation‑attack capability, indicating a move toward “normalisation of nuclear operations.”
- US strikes on Iran were condemned by Pyongyang as “gangster‑like,” yet North Korea refrained from directly criticizing President Donald Trump, suggesting a nuanced diplomatic posture.
Why it matters: North Korea gains a more credible nuclear deterrent with five missile launches in April, while the US and South Korea face heightened security pressure, likely spurring an arms‑race escalation in the region.
