North Korea launches 4th missile test this month

According to South Korea’s military, North Korea likely fired two short-range ballistic missiles from an area near Pyongyang’s international airport on Monday. The missiles launched four minutes apart and reportedly flew more than 200 miles before crashing into the waves off the country’s northern coast. U.S. military officials said the missiles did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory or to its allies.

What is the government up to? The launch again indicates Pyongyang is opting to flex its military muscles rather than return to the bargaining table to resume nuclear talks. This was the fourth launch in less than a month. North Korea has been ramping up tests of missiles that can fly at low altitudes, possibly allowing them to evade missile defenses. In response to recent missile tests, the U.S. government last week announced new sanctions against several North Korean officials.

Dig deeper: Listen to WORLD Radio correspondent Les Sillars report on Christian defectors using short wave radio to reach North Koreans.