Al Jazeera English North Korea missile launches raise tensions as US shifts focus to Middle East

North Korea is marking its military anniversary with a series of ballistic missile launches, demonstrating its growing military capabilities.

The tests come amid reports that the United States is redeploying military assets from the Korean Peninsula to the Middle East. While Washington denies moving key systems like THAAD, it has confirmed shifting other resources to respond to regional tensions involving Iran.

South Korea has condemned the launches as violations of United Nations resolutions. The International Atomic Energy Agency says there are signs North Korea is advancing its nuclear weapons programme.

Leader Kim Jong Un has overseen the latest drills, signalling defiance at a time of heightened global instability. In South Korea, public concern is rising over both North Korea’s actions and the potential reduction of US military presence.

President Lee Jae Myung has sought to reassure the public, saying South Korea’s military is fully capable of responding to any threat. The country continues to strengthen its own defence capabilities, including warships, drones and missile defence systems.

The shifting security landscape could accelerate plans for South Korea to take full wartime operational control of its forces from the United States, potentially ending a decades-long arrangement dating back to the Korean War.

The developments highlight growing uncertainty in the region as global tensions reshape military priorities.

Al Jazeera’s Barnaby Lo reports from Seoul.

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