North Korea launched at least two ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan on Monday. Japan and South Korea condemned the launches as violations of UN Security Council resolutions.
North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan on Monday, October 12, 2026, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) and Japan’s Ministry of Defense. The launches, which occurred near Pyongyang, drew immediate condemnation from Seoul and Tokyo, who cited violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense stated that at least two missiles were launched from North Korea’s interior toward the northeast and east. The first launch occurred at approximately 9:19 a.m. local time, reaching an altitude of about 20 kilometers and flying a distance of about 220 kilometers. The second launch took place at about 9:36 a.m., climbing to an altitude of about 70 kilometers and traveling more than 910 kilometers.
Takashi Koyari, Japan’s vice minister of defense for policy, told reporters that the missiles landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone. "Regarding the second missile, Japan, the United States, and South Korea are currently conducting a detailed joint analysis, including the possibility that it flew on an irregular trajectory," the ministry said in a statement. Koyari added, "We are analysing details, including whether it flew on an irregular trajectory," noting that the second missile is estimated to have reached an altitude of 70 kilometers and flew over 910 kilometers.
South Korea’s presidential office condemned the launches, stating they violated UN Security Council resolutions and did not support stability on the Korean Peninsula. The office urged Pyongyang to stop such activities immediately.
Japan lodged a stern protest through its embassy channel in Beijing. "Actions by North Korea threatens the peace and security of our country, the region, and the international community," Koyari said. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi directed government offices to gather and assess information quickly and ensure safe navigation at sea and in airspace.
The launches follow a period of heightened military activity on the Korean Peninsula. On October 3, North Korea fired a ballistic missile from the Wonsan area, which flew above 700 kilometers before landing at sea. South Korea’s JCS noted that the latest launches appeared to be a response to South Korea’s recent hypersonic missile test.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung oversaw the country’s first test-firing of a hypersonic missile on Thursday. Lee’s office stated the weapon would improve South Korea’s ability to strike key targets by surprise. North Korea has also intensified its weapons development, with leader Kim Jong Un seeking to expand the country’s arsenal of nuclear-capable systems.
The missile launches underscore the ongoing military rivalry between North Korea and its neighbors, as well as the stalled diplomatic engagement between Pyongyang and Washington. The incidents highlight the fragility of security in the region, with both Koreas increasing their conventional and strategic capabilities. The joint analysis by Japan, the United States, and South Korea indicates continued coordination among allies in response to North Korean provocations.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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