North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Sunday, according to South Korea’s military, marking the latest in a string of weapons tests that underline rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were fired from the Sinpo area at around 6:10 a.m. local time, travelling approximately 140 kilometres before landing in waters also known as the Sea of Japan. Authorities in Seoul said they were working closely with the United States to analyse the launches and assess their technical details.
The latest tests come amid a series of recent demonstrations by Pyongyang, including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and other advanced weapons systems. Officials in Seoul described the launches as a provocation and said the country would maintain a strong joint defence posture with Washington, which has around 28,000 troops stationed in the South.
An emergency security meeting was convened by South Korea’s presidential office shortly after the launches. The defence ministry called on Pyongyang to halt further tests, warning that continued actions risk escalating tensions in the region.
Analysts say the missile activity reflects North Korea’s rejection of recent diplomatic overtures from Seoul aimed at easing strained relations. Earlier efforts included an expression of regret from South Korea over drone incursions into the North earlier this year. While the gesture initially drew a measured response from Pyongyang, recent statements from North Korean officials have taken a harder line.
The North has referred to the South as its “most hostile” adversary, signalling a return to more confrontational rhetoric under leader Kim Jong Un. His sister, Kim Yo Jong, had earlier commented on inter-Korean developments, reflecting the leadership’s shifting tone.
North Korea remains under multiple United Nations sanctions that prohibit the development of nuclear weapons and the use of ballistic missile technology. Despite this, Pyongyang has continued to advance its military capabilities.
Recent activity has also highlighted efforts to strengthen naval power. Earlier this month, Kim Jong Un oversaw the launch of strategic cruise missiles from a naval vessel, part of a broader push to modernise the country’s fleet. The North has already unveiled two 5,000-ton destroyers and is reportedly working on additional ships.
South Korean officials and analysts have pointed to satellite imagery suggesting accelerated construction at shipyards, with some linking the progress to growing military cooperation between Pyongyang and Russia.
As missile tests continue and diplomatic channels remain strained, concerns are mounting over the potential for further instability in the region.
