North Korea Fires Multiple Short-Range Ballistic Missiles Ahead of South Korea’s APEC Summit

Overview

• South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the first North Korean ballistic launches in months, classifying the missiles as short-range.
• Japan’s prime minister said there was no damage to the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone and noted close coordination with the United States and South Korea, including real-time missile warning data sharing.
• The launches come days before the APEC leaders’ meeting in South Korea scheduled for October 31 to November 1, where President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping are expected.
• The firings follow an early-October parade in North Korea that showcased a new intercontinental ballistic missile in front of visiting Chinese and Russian officials.
• Regional militaries are assessing the tests and maintaining readiness as diplomatic consultations continue following the latest activity.