North Korea: Pyongyang launches ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan Nov. 18

Event

South Korean military personnel said North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward the East Sea (Sea of Japan) the morning of Nov. 18. Details on launch location, flight path, and distance are not immediately available. The incident did not result in damage or casualties.

Context

The latest test occurs one day after North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan Nov. 17. In recent weeks, North Korea also launched a series of ballistic missiles to oppose the joint US-South Korea Vigilant Storm air exercises that ended Nov. 5, and South Korea's Taeguk exercises that concluded Nov. 10. Additional missile launches remain possible in the coming weeks.

Despite attempts at jumpstarting diplomacy, the geopolitical dynamics on the Korean Peninsula remain largely unaltered, as North Korea has previously stated that it will only give up its nuclear weapons in exchange for concrete moves to reduce perceived US threats against it. North Korean leaders have previously warned of stronger actions in response to the latest US sanctions. However, both sides will likely avoid any actions that could escalate into a full-scale conflict.