Seoul claims that North Korea has launched cruise missiles off its east coast

According to South Korea's military, North Korea has launched several cruise missiles in the seas near its eastern coast.

Over the last several months, the communist regime, which has nuclear weapons, has conducted many missile tests, resulting in heightened tension in the area.

The launch on Sunday occurred in close proximity to the Sinpo port. The quantity and classification of the missiles remain uncertain now.

According to South Korea's Yonhap news agency, North Korea conducted a test launch of a new strategic cruise missile named Pulhwasal-3-31 on Wednesday.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported the recent launch, which occurred at 08:00 (23:00 GMT Saturday). They said that their military has been closely collaborating with the United States to observe any more indications of North Korea's provocative actions.

Is the leader of North Korea truly contemplating military conflict?

In recent months, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has shown a growing inclination towards aggression in both his policy decisions and rhetoric. This has resulted in the termination of multiple peace-keeping agreements and an escalation of military activities.

Since the beginning of January, Pyongyang has said that it conducted a trial of a novel missile powered by solid fuel, as well as its submersible assault drones, purportedly capable of transporting a nuclear warhead.

These missile launches and weapons development activities have been occurring almost every month for the last two years, in clear violation of UN sanctions. In a recent declaration, Kim Jong Un said that the longstanding objective of reunification with South Korea has been abandoned, with the South now being identified as the "primary adversary".

These circumstances have raised apprehensions that North Korea is making preparations for armed conflict.

In a recent address to his cabinet, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol emphasized that in the event of a provocation by North Korea, the South would respond with far more force, highlighting the formidable capabilities of the South Korean military to deliver an overwhelming retaliation.