Public announcements from North Korean state media or international monitoring agencies

North Korea's First Launch of 2025: Medium-Range Missile Fired During Blinken's Visit to Seoul

Jan 6, 2025, 09:00 AM

North Korea on Monday conducted its first ballistic missile launch of 2025, firing a medium-range missile towards the Sea of Japan. The missile flew approximately 1,100 kilometers before landing in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. The launch coincided with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Seoul, where he met with South Korean officials amid a period of political turmoil to encourage stability in the region. Blinken warned that Russia intends to share advanced satellite technology with North Korea, raising concerns about deepening cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. The missile test underscores heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula and challenges efforts to promote regional security.