The Republic of Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) announced that North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles from its capital, Pyongyang, towards the Sea of Japan this morning. The missiles traveled approximately 900 km before landing in the sea; specific data is currently under analysis.

"The South Korean military maintains a readiness posture, continuously sharing information about North Korea's ballistic missiles with the United States and Japan to enhance surveillance", the agency stated.

Japan's Ministry of Defense also reported detecting an object believed to be a ballistic missile that fell into an unspecified location.

North Korea has not yet commented on the launch. This marks the first ballistic missile test by the country in 2026. The last known launch occurred in November 2025, following US President Donald Trump's approval of a plan allowing South Korea to build nuclear submarines.

North Korean ballistic missile departing its launchpad during a May 2019 test. Photo: KCNA

North Korean ballistic missile departing its launchpad during a May 2019 test. Photo: KCNA

In recent years, North Korea has conducted numerous missile tests, including weapons capable of reaching the US mainland. The country has also unveiled several variants using solid-fuel engines, which are faster to deploy and easier to conceal than liquid-fuel types.

Analysts suggest these actions aim to improve the precision strike capabilities of its weapons and challenge the United States and South Korea.

Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ordered the "expansion and modernization" of missile production lines and the construction of more factories to meet growing demand. North Korean state media (KCNA) reported today that Kim visited a tactical guided weapons production facility, instructing them to increase production capacity by 250%.

Thanh Tam (According to Yonhap, AFP, KCNA)