Once again, North Korea has launched artillery shells near its contentious sea boundary with South Korea, with the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Kim Yo Jong, mocking the South’s ability to detect such weapon launches.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff dismissed Kim Yo Jong’s statement, describing it as “comedy-like, vulgar propaganda” aimed at undermining the trust of the South Korean people in the military and sowing divisions. The Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that North Korea fired over 90 rounds near the disputed western sea boundary on Sunday afternoon, urging North Korea to cease provocative actions immediately.
North Korea’s military later confirmed that it conducted live-firing exercises using coastal artillery systems, asserting that the drills were part of routine military training schedules and posed no threat to South Korea due to the direction of the fired shells.
This recent artillery firing comes after North Korea launched about 200 shells on Friday. South Korea also alleged that over 60 rounds were fired on Saturday, a claim denied by North Korea. The situation adds to the ongoing tensions in the region, highlighting the fragile nature of relations between the two Koreas.
Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, claimed on Saturday that North Korea only detonated blasting powder to simulate the sound of coastal artillery, testing the South Korean military’s detection capabilities. She criticized South Korea, stating that the South misjudged the situation, made false statements, and entrusted security to individuals with inadequate judgment.
Expressing disdain for South Korea, Kim Yo Jong said, “It is better 10 times to entrust security to a dog with a developed sense of hearing and smell.”
Tensions between the two Koreas have escalated due to North Korea’s missile tests and South Korea’s increased military training with the United States. North Korea has launched
The recent artillery firings prompted both Koreas to launch shells into a maritime buffer zone established under a 2018 military agreement. This agreement aimed to reduce frontline military tensions, but recent actions indicate its potential collapse. Experts suggest that North Korea may escalate weapons tests and fiery rhetoric in the lead-up to South Korea’s parliamentary elections in April and the U.S. presidential elections in November, with the intention of gaining leverage in negotiations.