North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles into the sea just Hours before the United States presidential elections. in an apparent show of power amid concerns about Pyongyang sends thousands of troops to fight in the Russian war in Europe.

Pyongyang fired at least seven missiles off its east coast, neighbors said as North Korean leader Kim Jong Unthe sister condemned the joint military exercises in which they participated he US, Japan and South Korea.

The missiles flew at an altitude of 100 kilometers and covered a range of 400 kilometers before falling outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone into the ocean, according to Japanese Defense Minister General Nakatani. South Korea said the missiles were fired at around 7 a.m. (local time) on Tuesday from the vicinity of Sariwon in North Hwanghae province.

The US military said it was monitoring the situation and consulting closely with allies Japan and South Korea.

Kim Yo-jong, Kim’s powerful sister, said military exercises by the United States and its allies justify North Korea’s nuclear boost, state media KCNA said. Mrs. Kim criticized the “more than 20” military exercises that the United States and its allies have held this year.

The launch comes just days after Pyongyang test launched its largest intercontinental missile which flew a record distance and with the ability to reach the continental United States. The Hwasong-19 launch drew harsh condemnation from the UN, Washington and their allies, amid fears that Pyongyang will receive missile technology as a reward for sending its troops to Russia.

South Korean officials said the North was likely to step up its military displays around the U.S. presidential election to get Washington’s attention. The South’s spy agency warned last week that Pyongyang has likely completed preparations for its seventh nuclear test.

North Korea’s envoy to the UN stated that the Hermit Kingdom would accelerate the development of its nuclear weapons program to “counter any threat posed by hostile nuclear-armed states.”

He North was sanctioned by the UN security council in 2006. and measures were constantly reinforced to stop its development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said North Korea’s recent tests have political significance because of what they say about the Kim regime’s lack of restraint. “Pyongyang is demonstrating that its contribution of weapons and troops to Russia’s war in Ukraine does not limit its military activities closer to home.”

He added: “On the contrary, cooperation with Moscow appears to allow flagrant violations of UN Security Council resolutions.”

It is largely considered that North Korea hopes to eventually use an expanded nuclear arsenal as leverage to obtain concessions such as sanctions relief after a new American president is elected.

There is a widespread opinion that Kim would prefer a victory for the Republican candidate. donald trumpwith whom he engaged in high-stakes nuclear diplomacy in 2018-19, seeing him as a more likely counterpart to give him what he wants than the Democratic candidate. Kamala Harris.

During the campaign, Harris said she will not “reach out to tyrants and dictators like Kim Jong Un, who support Trump.”

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters that until 10,000 North Korean soldiers were in the Russian Kursk region near the Ukrainian border and were preparing to join Moscow’s fight against Ukraine in the coming days.

If they engage in combat, it would be North Korea’s first involvement in a large-scale conflict since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.