Amid escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula, North Korea fired several missiles into the sea and announced the construction of a new warship. 

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff reported detecting multiple North Korean missile launches that landed in the sea east of the Korean Peninsula. Wednesday’s weapons test is the fourth round of North Korean missile launches in the past month, including a salvo of short-range ballistic missiles and strategic cruise missiles. 

Additionally, North Korean state media reported that Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un toured a “huge” warship under construction. Kim called for ramping up the country’s naval yards, suggesting Pyongyang could be eyeing a larger naval fleet. 

The missile test comes during a period of escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Over the past several months, the US has participated in two major rounds of military exercises in the region, including bilateral drills with South Korea and trilateral exercises involving Japan.

Tensions have also been heightened by a landmine explosion south of the border that injured three South Korean soldiers. Seoul says that North Korea planted the mine on the south side of the DMZ, but Pyongyang denies the allegation. 

Earlier this YEAR, President Donald Trump suggested a meeting with Kim. Pyongyang has maintained that Kim will not meet with an American leader until Washington drops its demand that North Korea give up its nuclear weapons. 

Under Trump, the US has maintained that the Korean Peninsula must be a nuclear-free region. Kim maintains he is unwilling to give up his nuclear arsenal as the weapons serve as a deterrent to a US regime change operation. Kim has pointed to US attacks on countries without nuclear weapons as justification for maintaining its nuclear deterrent.