North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles toward the sea off its east coast on Tuesday, an apparent short-range test that drew condemnation from South Korea and Japan as Washington and Seoul held high-level talks on reshaping their joint defense posture against Pyongyang.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were fired from an area near Pyongyang at about 3:50 p.m. local time and traveled roughly 350 kilometers (217 miles), landing in waters east of the Korean Peninsula.
Japan’s coast guard separately reported detecting what it described as possible ballistic missile launches by North Korea, adding that the projectiles fell a few minutes later. Japanese authorities said the missiles posed no immediate threat to the country.
Japanese officials said the missiles reached a maximum altitude of about 80 kilometers. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the launches would have no impact on Japan, according to government statements.
South Korea’s Office of National Security urged Pyongyang to immediately halt missile testing, calling the launches “provocative activities” that violate United Nations Security Council resolutions.
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Japan echoed that view, saying in a statement that “repeated launches of ballistic missiles by North Korea threaten the peace and security of our country, the region, and the international community.” Tokyo said it lodged a strong protest with Pyongyang and condemned the tests as a serious public safety concern.
North Korea has conducted a series of short-range missile and multiple-launch rocket tests in recent months, describing them as part of efforts to strengthen its tactical nuclear capabilities. Pyongyang has said such weapons are needed to deter what it views as military threats from the United States and South Korea.
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Interest in the North’s short-range missile systems has grown since Pyongyang supplied similar weapons to Russia for use in the war in Ukraine, following a mutual defense pact the two countries signed in 2024, according to Western and regional officials.
The missile firing came as a senior U.S. Defense Department official was visiting South Korea for talks on modernizing the U.S.–South Korea alliance. The discussions focus on adjusting shared defense responsibilities as Washington seeks a more limited operational role while maintaining deterrence against North Korea.
U.S. and South Korean officials have said the alliance remains committed to countering North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs through coordinated military readiness and diplomatic pressure.
