N. Korean state media again silent on missile launches

North Korean state media remained silent on missile launches carried out on August 7, continuing a pattern of not reporting on such activities since early August. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and the Rodong Sinmun, the country's most widely read newspaper, did not mention the launches as of 9 a.m. on August 8. Earlier that day, North Korea had fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea, following the conclusion of a trilateral military exercise involving South Korea, the United States, and Japan.

This was not the first time North Korea had launched short-range ballistic missiles during such exercises, with similar launches occurring on August 6 and August 12. The latest launch on August 20 added to a series of such exercises. North Korean state media has typically publicized its ballistic missile launches the following day, particularly when North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been involved.

However, the silence on August 7 deviates from this pattern. The lack of reporting comes amid more conciliatory signals towards South Korea and the United States.