North Korea has fired dozens of artillery shells, according to South Korea. Local news outlet Chosun cites multiple Government sources, and reports that North Korea fired around 10 artillery rounds into the West Sea from near Pyongyang this morning. The rocket launcher used is thought to be a 240mm, not a 600mm super-large version classed as a ballistic missile. Local reporters add that it is usual for the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff to immediately report to the press when North Korea launches a ballistic missile.

An official said, “It is not a ballistic missile launch, so we did not make a separate announcement.” They added that the rocket launcher is “fired frequently”, which is believed to imply that this was a regular firing rather than a provocation. Military experts are reportedly attempting to conclude whether or not the launcher was an updated model unveiled in 2024, when Kim Jong-un visited the Pyonghwa Automobile Factory, and drove a new transporter erector launcher (TEL).

“This facility, once a symbol of inter-Korean cooperation, was used to produce cars but has since been repurposed to enhance North Korea’s military capabilities, particularly in producing multiple rocket launchers, a key element in the nation’s arsenal,” North Korea-focused analyst group NK Pro said at the time, according to Newsweek.

It comes after a joint aerial drill by Japan, the US and South Korea was reportedly conducted this morning in the airspace south of South Korea’s Jeju island on Wednesday, according to the South Korean Air Force.

The exercise took place with the aim of strengthening security cooperation between the three countries in order to deter North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, the Japan Times reports.

F-2 fighters from Japan’s Air Self-Defence Force, F-16 fighters from the U.S. Air Force, and F-15K fighters from the South Korean Air Force participated.

Russian media reports that North Korea is planning to send thousands of military construction workers and mine-clearing experts to support reconstruction work in Russia’s Kursk region as the military partnership between the two nations grows deeper.

Russian state news agency RIA Novosti cited the country’s security chief, Sergei Shoigu, as saying that North Korea will send 1,000 mine-clearing experts and 5,000 military construction workers.