North Korea said Tuesday it has successfully test-fired new anti-aircraft missiles, heightening tensions with the United States and South Korea over joint exercises.
The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) says North Korean leader Kim Jong Un took part in the launches Thursday, calling them “another important event of defense science and technology to further improve the military might of the country.” This is the sixth weapon test carried out by North Korea in 2025.
The rocket tests occurred a day after the completion of the 11-day* Freedom Shield* joint military exercise between Washington and Seoul, the biggest such drill since Donald Trump was inaugurated as president in January. Even though Washington and Seoul claim that the drills are purely defensive in nature, North Korea perceives it as preparations to invade. 
North Korea’s Defense Ministry sharply lashed out at U.S., S. Korea over drills targeting NK’s underground facilities. An unnamed spokesman threatened “terrible consequences” if such “aggressive steps” are continued.
“The bellicose action of the U.S. and the ROK may bring consequences the least of which” is what they do not seek, the statement said.
North Korea remained mute as the former President Trump was willing to engage Kim Jong Un in diplomatic talks. Experts believe Kim is currently more concentrated on facilitating Russia’s Ukrainian war effort in Ukraine and won’t be negotiating until the conflict diminishes.
That latest missile test shows that North Korea is continuing to thumb its nose at the international community and at the fragile security situation on the Korean Peninsula.
