S. Korea, Japan defense chiefs hold video call over N. Korea’s missile test

North Korea's Missile General Bureau conducts a test launch of a new type of hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile, in this image provided by Korean Central News Agency, Jan. 6 / Yonhap

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back held a video call Wednesday with his Japanese counterpart, Koizumi Shinjiro, as the two sought to coordinate their response to a fresh barrage of North Korean ballistic missiles fired earlier in the day.

Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea starting around 8:50 a.m. The launches marked Pyongyang’s fifth confirmed ballistic missile test this year.

During the call, the ministers exchanged latest intelligence on North Korea’s multiple-rocket launcher and missile activities and emphasized the importance of close trilateral security cooperation among South Korea, the United States and Japan to deter and respond to further provocations, according to the Ministry of National Defense.

They also stressed the need for bilateral defense collaboration to maintain regional peace and stability amid a tense security environment, including the ongoing war in the Middle East, and agreed to continue advancing South Korea-Japan defense exchanges on a steady footing.

The discussions signal growing concerns in Seoul and Tokyo over Pyongyang’s accelerated weapons testing, highlighting the potential for heightened regional tensions and the necessity of coordinated military and diplomatic measures to prevent escalation.

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.