North Korea Test-Fires Five Short-Range Missiles

North Korea fired five short-range missiles on Sunday, demonstrating its improving missile technology.

The five projectiles were launched from locations near Wonsan, a coastal town east of Pyongyang and flew about 125 miles northeast before plunging into the sea, a Defense Ministry spokesman said. 

The missile launchings came a day after North Korea said that its leader, Kim Jong-un, had witnessed the test-firing of a new antiship missile.

Some of the North’s frequent tests of short-range missiles in recent years have indicated that the country is developing missiles capable of more efficiently targeting United States and South Korean military bases south of the inter-Korean border, South Korean officials said. 

Last month, North Korea offered to impose a moratorium on nuclear tests if the United States and South Korea suspended their annual large-scale joint military drills, according to the local media. However, the US quickly rejected the proposal, and the two countries plan to start the joint war games in March.