North Korea Launches Short-Range Ballistic Missiles and Multiple Rocket Launchers in Rare Mixed Test

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles toward the Yellow Sea from the vicinity of Jongju, North Pyongan Province, this afternoon. In a rare move, the North also launched multiple rocket launchers simultaneously. The South Korean military has not ruled out the use of suicide drones. Analysts suggest this mixed launch aims to demonstrate the ability to penetrate air defense networks, drawing on lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war. The South Korean military believes this may be a performance test of new weapon systems under Kim Jong Un's directive. This is the 8th launch this year and the first in 37 days. With rumors of a potential visit by Xi Jinping, the situation is being closely watched as a possible turning point for the Korean Peninsula. The South Korean Foreign Ministry urged North Korea to respond to efforts to ease tensions.