North Korea fired several ballistic missiles from its capital, Pyongyang, toward the sea off its east coast early Sunday, South Korea’s military said, marking the regime’s first ballistic missile launch in two months.
The missiles were launched at around 7:50 a.m. local time, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), which said the military had increased surveillance and readiness in anticipation of possible additional launches. Seoul is closely sharing information with the United States and Japan, the JCS added.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense said the missiles are believed to have already landed.
The launches came as South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung began a state visit to China on Sunday, where discussions are expected to include efforts to ease tensions and promote peace on the Korean peninsula.
North Korea last conducted a ballistic missile test in November. The latest launch follows a period of heightened weapons activity, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently calling for more than double the production capacity of tactical guided weapons during a visit to a munitions factory, according to state media.
In recent weeks, Kim has toured multiple weapons manufacturing facilities, visited a nuclear-powered submarine, and overseen missile tests ahead of the ruling Workers’ Party’s Ninth Party Congress later this year, where major policy goals are expected to be outlined.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is hosting Lee during the state visit. Lee’s security adviser, Wi Sung-lac, said South Korea hopes China will play a constructive role in promoting peace on the Korean peninsula, though he did not provide details of the summit agenda.
Experts say Lee is expected to urge Beijing to help facilitate dialogue with Pyongyang, even as North Korea has largely dismissed outreach efforts from the new South Korean administration.
