North Korea resumed its ballistic missile launches after a five-month hiatus, just days before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled for next week in Gyeongju. This marks the first ballistic missile launch since President Lee Jae Myung took office.
On Wednesday, the Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that our military detected several short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) launched northeastward from the Junghwa area in North Hwanghae Province at approximately 8:10 a.m.
The detected North Korean missiles traveled about 350 kilometers (about 217 miles). South Korean and U.S. forces are currently conducting a detailed analysis of the missile specifications and types.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that South Korean and U.S. intelligence agencies had been monitoring North Korea’s missile launch preparations and detected the launch immediately. We promptly shared relevant information with the U.S. and Japan.
This ballistic missile launch by North Korea is its first since May 8, when it fired multiple 600mm (about 24 inches) rocket launchers and Hwasong-11 type tactical ballistic missiles into the East Sea.
The South Korean military is closely examining the possibility that the missiles detected today could be North Korea’s newly developed Hwasong-11M. This suggests that Pyongyang may have initiated these provocations to test its new weaponry.
The Hwasong-11M is a new short-range ballistic missile equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) style warhead, based on the existing Hwasong-11A (KN-23, North Korea’s version of the Iskander) tactical guided missile. This missile is designed to target key facilities in South Korea, and its hypersonic enhancements are seen as an attempt to reduce counter-response capabilities. North Korea first unveiled this weapon at the recent Defense Development-2025 exhibition and showcased it at the Workers’ Party’s 80th anniversary parade on October 10.
During the parade, North Korea also revealed a new Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) aimed at the U.S. mainland, along with hypersonic medium-range strategic missiles. Consequently, our military is closely monitoring the possibility that North Korea may soon conduct test launches of these weapons.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff emphasized that its military maintains a robust South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture, closely monitors North Korea’s activities, and ensures we can respond overwhelmingly to any provocation.
This ballistic missile launch is the first since President Lee took office in June and comes just as U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping prepare to visit South Korea for the APEC summit next week. Analysts view this as a calculated display of military power.
Some experts believe that North Korea used this missile launch to signal its disinterest in dialogue with the U.S. While there has been no official announcement from Washington, diplomatic circles speculate that President Trump may seek a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his visit.
Additionally, this missile launch comes immediately after Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office. Takaichi, known for her hardline conservative stance, is expected to pursue policies unfavorable to North Korea, including intensified efforts to resolve the abduction issue.