North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles towards the Sea of Japan on Monday, October 12, 2026, prompting renewed concerns over security in the Korean Peninsula. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the launches were detected at around 9.20 am local time from the Pyongyang area. At least one missile travelled more than 900 kilometres before landing in the sea, according to South Korean military assessments. Japan also detected two missile launches, with both weapons believed to have landed outside the country’s exclusive economic zone.

Japanese officials said the missiles were launched approximately 17 minutes apart. Deputy Defence Minister Takashi Koyari stated that the first missile travelled about 220 kilometres, while the second flew more than 910 kilometres. Japanese authorities were examining whether the second missile followed an irregular trajectory, a characteristic associated with certain advanced missile systems. There were no immediate reports of damage from the launches, and officials continued to assess the flight data and other technical details.

Japan lodged a formal protest against the launches through diplomatic channels in Beijing, condemning the tests as violations of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi instructed government agencies to collect and assess information, communicate developments promptly and ensure the safety of maritime and aviation operations. South Korea also increased surveillance and maintained a heightened military readiness posture, while sharing intelligence with the United States and Japan.

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The latest launches came less than two weeks after North Korea tested a ballistic missile from the Wonsan area on October 3. North Korean state media subsequently described that test as part of training for personnel operating its hypersonic strategic weapons system. South Korea, meanwhile, conducted its first test launch of a hypersonic glide vehicle on October 8. The developments have added to regional concerns about advances in missile technology and the ability of existing defence systems to track and intercept incoming weapons.

Tensions between the two Koreas have also increased following a landmine explosion in the Demilitarised Zone on September 21 that injured three South Korean soldiers. A joint investigation by South Korea and the United Nations Command attributed the incident to landmines allegedly planted by North Korean forces. Pyongyang denied responsibility and accused Seoul of making false allegations. The dispute has further strained relations between the neighbouring countries, which remain technically at war because the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty.

North Korea’s latest missile launches come amid a prolonged breakdown in diplomatic engagement with South Korea and the United States over its nuclear and missile programmes. Leader Kim Jong Un has continued to prioritise the development of the country’s military capabilities, while negotiations on denuclearisation remain stalled. South Korean and Japanese authorities said they would continue monitoring North Korea for further launches and coordinate with Washington. The latest tests have renewed international concerns about regional stability and the risk of further escalation on the Korean Peninsula.

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