North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles toward East Sea after South Korea’s hypersonic test

North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on the morning of 12 October. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff detected the launches from the Pyongyang area at approximately 09:20 local time. One type of missile flew more than 900 kilometres. Japan’s coast guard and defence ministry reported at least two projectiles that appeared to have landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles appeared to be of different types. Spokesperson Navy Capt. Jang Do-young described the launches as a show of force in response to South Korea’s recent successful test of a hypersonic glide vehicle and as a demonstration of North Korea’s missile capabilities under its current five-year defence plan. South Korea’s National Security Office convened an emergency meeting and condemned the launches as a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The launches mark North Korea’s fourth round of ballistic missile activity in a month and its 16th this year. On 3 October, North Korea tested a hypersonic missile under the supervision of Kim Jong Un. State media said that missile flew about 1,000 kilometres. South Korea assessed the earlier flight at more than 700 kilometres. Kim Yo Jong, the sister of the North Korean leader, said the 3 October test involved a missile capable of changing its flight orbit at low altitude and that AI had been introduced into the system.

Tensions on the peninsula have risen since a border mine blast last month wounded three South Korean soldiers. Seoul said the mines were planted by North Korea and demanded an apology. Pyongyang rejected the claim and accused the South of provocation. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung oversaw the first public test of a domestically developed hypersonic glide vehicle last week. The vehicle is designed to travel at least Mach 5 and manoeuvre on unpredictable paths.

Japan reported no damage from the 12 October launches. South Korea said it has stepped up surveillance for possible additional launches. The Joint Chiefs of Staff assessed that the missiles were tracked from launch and remain interceptable by allied assets. No further details on exact numbers or specific models beyond the 900-kilometre flight of one type have been released.

The activity continues a pattern of weapons tests by both Koreas while diplomacy remains stalled. North Korea has conducted more than ten missile events this year. South Korea has publicised its own hypersonic development. The 12 October launches add to the sequence without producing reported casualties or damage outside North Korean waters.