SEOUL — North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles toward the East Sea (also known as the Sea of Japan) on Sunday morning, January 4, 2026, marking Pyongyang's first ballistic missile test of the new year and its initial such provocation since November 7, 2025. The launches occurred just hours before South Korean President Lee Jae-myung departed for a state visit to China, where discussions on Korean Peninsula peace and North Korea's nuclear program were anticipated.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) detected several projectiles, presumed to be ballistic missiles, fired from the vicinity of Pyongyang around 7:50 a.m. local time. The missiles traveled approximately 900 kilometers (about 560 miles) before falling into the sea. The JCS stated that the military has strengthened surveillance and vigilance in preparation for potential additional launches, while closely coordinating with the United States and Japan to analyze the details. "Our military is maintaining a full readiness posture," the JCS said in a statement.
The South Korean presidential Office of National Security convened an emergency meeting following the launches, led by officials from the Defense Ministry and JCS. In a subsequent statement, the office condemned the action as "a provocative act in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions" and urged North Korea to immediately cease such activities.
Japan's Defense Ministry confirmed the detection of at least two ballistic missiles launched eastward from North Korea's west coast. The projectiles reached a maximum altitude of around 50 kilometers, with flight distances of approximately 900 km and 950 km, respectively. Both apparently landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi stated that Tokyo had lodged a strong protest with Pyongyang through diplomatic channels, emphasizing that the launches "threaten the peace and security" of Japan, the region, and the international community. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi directed relevant officials to swiftly collect and share information, ensure the safety of vessels and aircraft, and prepare for any contingencies.
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command acknowledged the launches, assessing that they "do not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies." However, it reaffirmed the United States' commitment to defending the homeland and regional allies.
This missile activity comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions. Analysts suggest the timing may be intended to signal disapproval of closer South Korea-China ties or to underscore North Korea's military capabilities ahead of domestic policy announcements. The launches follow a period of relative restraint in ballistic missile tests, with the previous one occurring on November 7, 2025.
Separately, on January 3, 2026, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a major munitions factory to inspect the production of tactical guided weapons. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim instructed officials to expand production capacity significantly—reports indicate by up to 2.5 times—and to advance modernization efforts. He emphasized the importance of innovative planning and rational systems to establish flexible manufacturing processes, while addressing deficiencies in assembly modernization. Kim expressed satisfaction with the factory's progress but called for reexamination of 2026 construction and modernization plans to optimize results.
These developments underscore North Korea's ongoing emphasis on bolstering its military arsenal, including precision-guided systems potentially capable of both conventional and nuclear delivery. The munitions inspection and subsequent missile launches highlight Pyongyang's continued investment in weapons development, despite international sanctions and calls for denuclearization.
The international community has consistently viewed North Korea's ballistic missile activities as violations of multiple UN Security Council resolutions prohibiting such tests. These resolutions, including 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), 2094 (2013), 2270 (2016), 2321 (2016), 2356 (2017), 2371 (2017), 2375 (2017), and 2397 (2017), ban North Korea from conducting ballistic missile launches and impose sanctions aimed at curbing its nuclear and missile programs.
Regional allies, including South Korea, Japan, and the United States, maintain close trilateral cooperation in monitoring and responding to North Korean provocations. The launches also coincide with broader global events, including recent U.S. military actions elsewhere, which North Korea has publicly condemned.
As South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's visit to China proceeds, discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to address promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula and encouraging China's constructive role in denuclearization efforts. However, North Korea's actions may complicate those talks, given Beijing's position as Pyongyang's primary ally and economic partner.
Experts note that North Korea's missile program has advanced significantly in recent years, with tests demonstrating improved range, accuracy, and evasion capabilities. The January 4 launches, involving low-altitude trajectories (around 50 km altitude), suggest possible use of depressed or irregular paths designed to challenge missile defense systems.
In response to the launches, South Korea and the U.S. are conducting joint analysis, while Japan has enhanced its information-sharing protocols. No immediate reports of damage or threats to civilian areas were issued.
This incident serves as a reminder of the persistent volatility on the Korean Peninsula, where North Korea's weapons tests continue to test regional stability and international resolve.
