North and South Korea restore communications amid missile strikes

North and South Korea have reportedly restored a stalled communication channel three days after North Korea said it had test-fired a newly developed anti-aircraft missile in the fourth round of weapons firings in recent weeks.

Inter-Korean communication channels have been largely dormant since Pyongyang cut them off in June 2020. Experts at the time suggested that the move could signal that North Korea grew frustrated with Soul's failure to revive inter-Korean economic projects and to persuade the United States to ease sanctions. 

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un called for increased communications last week, noting that his country refused to exchange messages after Seoul staged annual military drills with the United States.