North Korea on Saturday fired approximately ten ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, according to South Korea's military. The Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that the missiles were launched from the Sunan area in North Korea around 1:20 pm local time (0420 GMT).
“Our military maintains a firm readiness posture while closely sharing North Korean ballistic missile information with the United States and Japan amid heightened surveillance against additional launches,” a military statement said.
Seoul condemned the missile launches as violations of UN Security Council resolutions, calling for an immediate halt. “The latest ballistic missile launches by North Korea constitute a provocation that violates UNSC resolutions, and we call for an immediate halt,” the presidential Office of National Security stated after holding an emergency security assessment meeting. The office also briefed President Lee Jae Myung on the launches and Seoul’s countermeasures.
The Japanese Defense Ministry confirmed that North Korea fired a suspected ballistic missile, which appeared to have already fallen. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi instructed her government to gather information and ensure the safety of planes and ships. No damage has been reported in Japan so far.
The missile launches occurred amid the annual Freedom Shield military exercise conducted jointly by South Korea and the United States. North Korea previously launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on January 27, reportedly to test a renewed large-caliber multiple rocket launcher system. Earlier in January, Pyongyang also launched its first multiple ballistic missiles of the year toward the same area.
In a related development, South Korean and US forces staged joint river-crossing drills in the border county of Yeoncheon on Saturday as part of the ongoing Freedom Shield exercises. The drills took place along the Imjin River in Yeoncheon, approximately 50 kilometers north of Seoul, involving some 200 pieces of equipment, including KM3 amphibious bridging vehicles and ribbon bridge systems.
About 700 troops participated in the drills, including personnel from Seoul's Capital Mechanized Infantry Division, the 7th Engineer Brigade, and the US Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the 2nd Infantry Division. The exercises were conducted to enhance joint operational readiness amid continued regional tensions.
The missile launches and concurrent military drills underscore the heightened security situation on the Korean Peninsula, prompting close monitoring by regional and international actors to prevent escalation.
