Following the South Korean and U.S. militaries’ decision to extend their joint military air drill, North Korea launched another barrage of missiles and artillery on Thursday.
Historically, Pyongyang launches its most provocative foreign policy moves when the regime faces particularly intense problems at home. Current North Korean behavior fits this pattern.
North Korea has fired over 40 missiles this year, more than during any year since its leader, Kim Jong Un, took power in 2011. The surge in launches hasn’t gone unnoticed in Hawaii.
After a group of North Korean aircraft went near to the border and Kim Jong Un fired a ballistic missile, South Korea ordered the deployment of F-35 fighter jets.