Saturday, March 29, 2025
North Korea Fires Rockets Ahead of US Defense Secretary Hegseth’s Visit, Heightening Tensions on Korean Border
Tensions Escalate on Korean Peninsula as North Korea Launches Rockets Before Hegseth’s DMZ Visit
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) confirmed that North Korea launched around 10 artillery rockets toward the Yellow Sea, just one hour before US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrived at the inter-Korean border for a high-level security visit. The rockets were fired from North Korea’s multiple rocket launcher system, signaling renewed aggression at a sensitive time.
The launches occurred shortly before Hegseth and his South Korean counterpart Ahn Kyu-bak began their joint visit to the Joint Security Area (JSA) — a heavily guarded section of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas.
Reports indicate that on November 1 at around 3 PM, Pyongyang also fired “about 10 more artillery rounds” as South Korean President Lee Jae-myung met Chinese President Xi Jinping during the APEC summit in Gyeongju. Analysts see this as a deliberate attempt by North Korea to assert military pressure amid key diplomatic engagements in the region.
During a joint press conference on Tuesday, Hegseth stated that Washington is fully committed to helping South Korea develop nuclear-powered submarines in American shipyards—fulfilling a pledge by President Donald Trump.
When asked about the possibility of deploying US troops stationed in South Korea to the Taiwan Strait during a regional emergency, Hegseth emphasized that the US would assess its “operational flexibility” but maintained that its primary focus remains deterring North Korea.
President Lee Jae-myung had earlier requested Trump’s approval to allow Seoul to acquire nuclear fuel for conventionally armed submarines to enhance monitoring of North Korean and Chinese vessels.
According to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, Trump confirmed in a social media post that he has granted South Korea permission to build nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) at the Philadelphia Shipyard, which is operated by South Korean defense firm Hanwha Ocean.
In his October 29 post, Trump wrote, “The US-South Korea alliance is now stronger than ever. Based on this strength, I have authorized them to build nuclear-powered submarines.”
In another post, he reiterated, “South Korea will build its nuclear-powered submarines in Philadelphia Shipyard—right here in the good old USA.”
The rocket launches underscore the volatile state of inter-Korean relations, as Pyongyang continues to resist international calls for restraint. The timing of the tests—just ahead of a high-profile US visit and major diplomatic talks—suggests a calculated show of defiance.
Hegseth reaffirmed Washington’s unwavering stance:
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies and are fully focused on ensuring that the DPRK’s threat does not endanger the Republic of Korea.”
With missile provocations intensifying and US-South Korea defense cooperation deepening, the Korean Peninsula once again finds itself at the center of growing military and geopolitical tension.
