North Korea fires missile amid Blinken's visit to turbulent South Korea

North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the sea on January 6, coinciding with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to South Korea. 

South Korea’s military reported detecting an intermediate-range ballistic missile launched toward the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan. The projectile travelled approximately 1,100 kilometres (680 miles) before falling into the sea, according to Japanese authorities. In response, Seoul heightened its surveillance and coordinated closely with the U.S. and Japan, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The timing of the missile launch added urgency to Blinken's discussions in Seoul, where he met acting President Choi Sang-mok and Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul. Blinken reaffirmed the "ironclad commitment" of the U.S. to South Korea's defence and emphasized trilateral cooperation with Japan.

Political turmoil in South Korea

Blinken’s visit comes during a period of political upheaval in South Korea. Conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, impeached after a failed attempt to impose martial law, has entrenched himself in his residence, defying investigators seeking his arrest. Acting President Choi, a technocrat in office for just over a week, reassured Blinken that South Korea would uphold commitments made during the Camp David summit in 2023, including enhanced intelligence-sharing with the U.S. and Japan.

Yoon had previously aligned closely with Washington, delighting the Biden administration with his efforts to mend ties with Japan, a fellow U.S. ally. However, his impeachment has emboldened South Korea's progressive opposition, which historically adopts a harder stance on Japan and favours diplomatic outreach to North Korea.

U.S. political transition looms

The missile test comes two weeks before Donald Trump is set to assume the U.S. presidency. Trump, known for his unconventional approach to North Korea, previously pursued direct diplomacy with leader Kim Jong Un, holding three summits that lowered tensions but failed to produce a lasting agreement on Pyongyang's nuclear program.

Trump has also expressed scepticism of traditional U.S. alliances, criticizing South Korea’s financial contributions to hosting American troops and suggesting he would demand significantly higher payments.

By Vugar Khalilov