– Seoul, South Korea
North Korea fired several projectiles, including a short-range ballistic missile, into waters off its western coast on Tuesday. The launch took place around 1 p.m. local time from the area near Chongju in North Pyongan Province. The South Korean military reported that the missile traveled approximately 80 kilometers before landing in the sea, posing no threat to neighboring countries or U.S. forces.
This is Pyongyang’s first known missile activity since mid-April, when it tested short-range ballistic missiles with cluster warheads. This latest test continues North Korea’s pattern of conducting regular weapons demonstrations throughout 2026, even while international sanctions remain in place.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said they are closely monitoring the situation and sharing information with the United States and Japan. South Korea's Foreign Ministry urged Pyongyang to cease these actions and engage in diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
This action comes amid stalled negotiations and ongoing joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States. Experts consider these tests to represent both a technical development and a political signal from North Korea. No further launches were reported immediately after the event.