South Korea typically classifies such weapons as short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs), which are capable of reaching major South Korean cities within minutes. These launches, however, are in clear violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban North Korea from using ballistic missile technology of any kind.

Meanwhile, South Korea’s nominee for the chief of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), Lee Jong-seok, has said he believes the United States would launch a nuclear counterattack if North Korea ever carried out a nuclear strike on South Korea. His statement came during a nomination hearing on Thursday amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Lee was responding to a question on whether Washington would retaliate against Pyongyang even if it meant risking American lives, especially in a scenario where North Korea had already deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that could target the U.S. mainland. “Yes, I believe the U.S. would respond with nuclear weapons,” Lee stated firmly, reinforcing the credibility of the U.S.-South Korea alliance under Washington’s extended nuclear deterrence policy.

North Korea’s Expanding Missile and Nuclear Threat

North Korea has developed a wide arsenal of ballistic missiles over the past two decades, ranging from short-range models like the KN-23 to long-range ICBMs such as the Hwasong-15 and Hwasong-17. These ICBMs are believed to have the capacity to reach parts of the continental United States, although doubts remain about their reentry capabilities and reliability.

The country has also ramped up nuclear weapons development. U.S. and South Korean intelligence estimate that Pyongyang possesses enough fissile material for over 30 nuclear warheads. Recent satellite images suggest ongoing activity at North Korea’s nuclear test site, hinting at possible preparations for a seventh nuclear test.

Missile tests have become more frequent in recent years. In 2022 alone, North Korea conducted more than 30 ballistic missile launches. In July 2023, it launched an ICBM that flew over 1,000 kilometres before landing in Japan’s exclusive economic zone — a direct threat to regional stability. Thursday’s missile volley underscores the growing risk of military miscalculation. It also highlights the strategic importance of nuclear deterrence between the U.S. and South Korea. As tensions remain high, observers fear further provocations or even a major escalation in the coming weeks.