This archive report was first published on 28 November 2019.
North Korea's recent actions have raised concerns about the country's intentions and commitment to denuclearization. On Thursday, the country launched two rockets from its east coast, just days after firing artillery near a disputed sea border.
According to South Korean defense officials, the rockets were launched from the town of Yonpo using a 'super-large multiple rocket launcher,' a new weapon system used in some of North Korea's recent tests. The projectiles flew up to 236 miles before landing in waters between North Korea and Japan.
The launches come after North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, ordered troops to fire artillery during a visit to a front-line military unit near a disputed western sea border between the two Koreas. The North Korean state media revealed the test on Monday, drawing a protest from South Korea, which accused the North of violating an agreement not to conduct military drills near the border.
North Korea's actions have been seen as a demonstration of growing impatience on the part of Kim Jong-un. The country has repeatedly urged Washington to return to the negotiating table with a more flexible proposal by the end of this year.
It's worth noting that North Korea announced an end to its nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests in April 2018, two months before Kim Jong-un's first summit meeting with President Trump in Singapore. However, subsequent talks on how to implement the deal have since collapsed, and North Korea has resumed a series of mostly short-range rocket or ballistic missile tests.
On October 31, North Korea launched two projectiles, also from a 'super-large' rocket launcher. Such tests have largely been seen as a sign of North Korea's frustration with the stalled talks and its desire to pressure Washington into making concessions.
