Kim Hong-Ji
North Korea has launched several surface-to-ship missiles off its east coast, the Hermit Kingdom’s fourth missile test in the past month. The Thursday test comes a day after new South Korean leader Moon Jae-in announced he would suspend the additional deployment of the U.S. military’s THAAD missile-defense system, which is meant to prevent the country from attacks by Pyongyang. Moon has broken with his predecessor and called for dialogue with North Korean leadership amid escalating tensions in the region, even as the U.S. has warned of potential military action if Pyongyang does not abandon its nuclear program. South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff released a statement identifying the latest missiles used as short-range surface-to-ship missiles that flew about 124 miles before landing. The statement said the U.S. was conducting a more detailed analysis. The launch comes less than a week after the United Nations Security Council expanded sanctions against Pyongyang over its recent spate of missile tests, which has renewed concerns the country may soon develop an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the U.S.