North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles toward waters off its eastern coast on Monday, October 12, 2026, marking Pyongyang’s fourth missile test in a month, while South Korea said at least one missile traveled more than 900 kilometers.
The launches were detected at about 9:20 a.m. local time from the area near Pyongyang, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. Japan said it tracked at least two missiles launched about 17 minutes apart, with one flying roughly 220 kilometers and another traveling more than 910 kilometers. Japanese officials said the missiles fell outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone, and no immediate damage was reported.
South Korean and U.S. authorities were analyzing the weapons to determine their exact types and capabilities. Seoul’s presidential security office called an emergency meeting and condemned the launches as violations of U.N. Security Council resolutions. South Korean officials suggested the test was partly a response to Seoul’s recent trial of a domestically developed hypersonic weapon.
Tensions have also risen since a landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone injured three South Korean soldiers, with Seoul blaming North Korea and Pyongyang denying responsibility.