Overview
- South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff detected several short-range ballistic missiles launched from north of Pyongyang around 3:50 p.m., with flight distances of roughly 350 kilometers into the East Sea.
- Japan reported two missiles that reached about 70–80 kilometers in altitude and splashed down outside its exclusive economic zone, then lodged a strong protest over U.N. resolution violations.
- U.S. Forces Korea said the launches did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory and that it is consulting closely with allies as analysis of the test data continues.
- KCNA said Kim Jong Un supervised the firing of an upgraded large-caliber multiple rocket launcher and highlighted gains in mobility, guidance and accuracy to reinforce the North’s ‘strategic deterrent.’
- The launches came ahead of a ruling Workers’ Party congress expected in the coming weeks and coincided with a Seoul visit by U.S. defense policy chief Elbridge Colby focused on alliance posture.