North Korea test-launches ‘multiple’ ballistic missiles, South Korea says

North Korea on Sunday launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles towards its eastern waters in the latest display of military capability, prompting South Korea’s military to strengthen monitoring and coordinate closely with regional allies.

According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff , the missiles were fired at about 6:10 am local time from the Sinpo area on the North’s east coast, a city known for its major submarine shipyard and missile development facilities. The projectiles travelled roughly 140 kilometres before falling into the sea, believed to be the East Sea (Sea of Japan) .

South Korea said it had bolstered its surveillance posture and was closely sharing intelligence with the United States and Japan while analysing the missiles’ trajectory and specifications. Authorities are also examining whether the launches were conducted from a submarine platform or land-based launcher , given Sinpo’s role in North Korea’s submarine-launched ballistic missile programme.

Seoul’s presidential office convened an emergency National Security Council meeting and condemned the launch as a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions , urging Pyongyang to halt further provocations.

Japan’s Defence Ministry confirmed that it had detected the launches and said the missiles did not enter the country’s exclusive economic zone , though Tokyo lodged a strong protest, warning the tests threaten regional and international peace.

Sunday’s test marked North Korea’s seventh ballistic missile launch this year and the fourth in April , underscoring an intensified pace of weapons demonstrations by the nuclear-armed state. Analysts say the launches may be aimed at showcasing military capability and gaining leverage ahead of possible diplomatic engagement with the United States and regional powers.

The missile activity also comes days after the International Atomic Energy Agency warned of a “very serious increase” in North Korea’s ability to produce nuclear weapons, citing growing activity at key nuclear facilities such as Yongbyon.

Officials in Seoul and Washington said they remain prepared to respond to any further provocations while continuing to monitor developments closely.