Seoul | January 4, 2026
North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles off its east coast toward the Sea of Japan on Sunday, marking its first missile launch of 2026 and triggering heightened security alerts across Northeast Asia.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were launched from an area near Pyongyang around 7:50 a.m. local time, traveling an estimated 900 to 950 kilometers at altitudes of approximately 50 kilometers before landing in international waters.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense confirmed the launches and said the projectiles followed a ballistic trajectory. Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi condemned the test, stating it posed a “serious threat to regional and global peace.”
Regional and International Response
South Korea’s National Security Council convened an emergency meeting, calling the launch a clear violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions banning North Korea from conducting ballistic missile tests. Seoul said it remains in close coordination with the United States to analyze the missile specifications and assess potential risks.
The US and South Korean militaries stated they are maintaining a high level of readiness amid concerns over further provocations.
Strategic Timing and Analysis
Security analysts noted that the launch came amid heightened global tensions, following a recent US military operation involving the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Experts believe Pyongyang may be signaling deterrence against perceived threats to its leadership.
The missile test also coincided with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s visit to China, where he is scheduled to hold talks with President Xi Jinping, including discussions on North Korea and regional stability.
North Korea’s Military Direction
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has recently emphasized expanding the country’s missile production capacity, particularly systems capable of precision strikes. Analysts say Pyongyang continues to refine technologies that could also be exported to allied nations, including Russia.
While North Korea has not issued an official statement on Sunday’s launch, the test fits a long-standing pattern of weapons development aimed at strengthening both deterrence and bargaining power on the international stage.
