North Korea fires around ten ballistic missiles from east coast
Seoul reports launches from near Wonsan and says it has increased surveillance while exchanging information with the US and Japan.
North Korea fired around ten ballistic missiles from its east coast toward the sea early this morning, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said. Seoul reported the launches after tracking multiple projectiles headed out over the ocean.
The launches involved short-range ballistic missiles and were conducted from an area near Wonsan on North Korea's eastern shoreline, according to South Korean military statements.
Seoul said it has stepped up surveillance across the region and is maintaining a heightened state of readiness in case Pyongyang carries out further launches. Those measures are being implemented with close information exchange with the United States (US) and Japan.
Tokyo and coast guard response
Japan's Ministry of Defense said the North had launched an object that may be a ballistic missile and that it fell outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. The Japan Coast Guard also reported that the projectile likely was a ballistic missile that landed in the sea.
The most recent previous ballistic launch by Pyongyang took place on 12 October, amid heightened tensions along the inter-Korean border after a mine explosion last month wounded several South Korean soldiers.
North Korea has carried out missile tests more than ten times this year, underscoring a sustained tempo of launches in 2026.
Photo: EPA-EFE/KCNA EDITORIAL USE ONLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY
