In brief
Japan reported on 29 October 2026 that North Korea fired a missile which may be ballistic and has already fallen. South Korean military officials confirmed that roughly a dozen short‑range ballistic missiles were launched from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea. No casualties or damage were reported, and the launch is viewed as a test of Pyongyang’s capabilities rather than an attack.
On Thursday, 29 October 2026, North Korea fired a missile that may be ballistic and has already fallen, Japan’s government reported.
Kyodo News announced that Japanese authorities had issued a statement on 29 October confirming the launch and the possible ballistic nature of the missile, citing concerns for regional security.
South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the same day that North Korea launched roughly a dozen short‑range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea, roughly 12:30 p.m., and monitored the launch with U.S. and Japanese forces.
The South Korean defence ministry, as reported by Kyodo News, confirmed overnight that it had detected a launch of 12 short‑range ballistic missiles from North Korea, spotted by airborne early‑warning radar and monitored closely for their flight trajectories.
In a separate Yonhap report, the JCS said it has heightened surveillance and maintained a robust defense posture, sharing information with the United States and Japan regarding the latest missile launch.
No damage, casualties, or immediate diplomatic fallout were reported, and the launch is seen as a test of North Korea’s missile capabilities.
