North Korea's Resumed Missile Launches Raise Regional Tensions

North Korea has fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the sea, marking a resumption of its weapons testing activities. The missile flew about 1,000 kilometers before landing between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. This launch, along with a short-range ballistic missile fired the previous day, is seen as a protest against South Korea and the United States' efforts to strengthen their joint nuclear deterrence capabilities. The U.S. and South Korea have agreed to update their nuclear deterrence strategies and incorporate nuclear operation scenarios in their military exercises. North Korea has conducted about 100 ballistic missile tests in the past year, aiming to enlarge its arsenal of nuclear-capable weapons.