North Korea fired a ballistic missile on Friday, November 7, according to South Korea’s military—just a week after U.S. President Donald Trump approved Seoul’s plan to develop a nuclear-powered submarine, a decision analysts warned would likely trigger a sharp response from Pyongyang.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that the missile was launched toward the East Sea and landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed there were no reports of damage or casualties.
Russia defended the launch, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov asserting that North Korea has the “legitimate right” to take whatever measures it deems necessary for its security. Pyongyang has grown increasingly close to Moscow as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues.
Japan, however, condemned the test, calling North Korea’s repeated launches “absolutely unforgivable.” Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said the provocations highlight the urgency of strengthening Japan's defenses and that all options remain on the table.
South Korea said the missile was fired at 12:35 p.m. local time from north of Pyongyang and traveled about 700 kilometers. Analysts say North Korea’s intensified testing aims to refine precision capabilities, pressure Washington and Seoul, and potentially develop weapons for Russia.
Ahn Chan-il, head of the World Institute for North Korea Studies and a North Korean defector, said Pyongyang likely views Seoul’s planned nuclear-powered submarine as a major threat because it could operate near North Korean waters for long periods and monitor submarine-launched missiles.
Trump said the submarine would be built in the U.S., though South Korea has suggested it may construct it domestically. Nuclear-powered submarines can remain submerged far longer than diesel-powered ones, making them harder to detect. Only a few nations operate such vessels, including the U.S., China, Russia, Britain, France, India, and Australia.
Since the collapse of Kim Jong Un’s talks with Trump in 2019 over sanctions relief and denuclearisation, Pyongyang has repeatedly declared itself an “irreversible” nuclear state. Kim has also grown more confident as ties with Moscow deepen—bolstered by the deployment of thousands of North Korean troops to assist Russia in Ukraine.
North Korea ignored Trump’s recent offer to meet. Instead, its foreign minister traveled to Moscow to meet President Vladimir Putin, with both sides agreeing to boost cooperation.
Kim has also been seen alongside Putin and China’s Xi Jinping at major military events, signaling his rising stature among nations countering Western influence.
Although Trump and Kim met three times during his first term and Trump claimed their relationship had become so warm they had “fallen in love,” no lasting nuclear agreement was achieved.
This week, South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun said the country’s intelligence agency believes Kim remains open to dialogue and may seek talks when circumstances improve. He added that although last week’s proposed meeting with Trump did not occur, there were “multiple signs” that Pyongyang had quietly prepared for potential engagement.
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