FILE — In this photo provided by the North Korean government, its leader Kim Jong Un, center, visits to observe the test launches of missiles at an undisclosed place in North Korea Sunday, April 12, 2026. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: “KCNA.” AP/KCNA via KNS
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles toward the sea on Sunday, its neighbors said, marking the latest weapons testing activity this year.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the launches occurred Sunday morning from the North’s eastern Sinpo area. Seoul said it has bolstered surveillance and is closely exchanging information with the U.S. and Japan.
South Korea’s presidential office said the National Security Council plans to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the launches.
Japan’s Defense Ministry also detected the launches and said the weapons were believed to have landed in waters off North Korea’s east coast. Tokyo strongly protested to Pyongyang, saying the launches threaten regional and international peace and violate U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban ballistic activity by North Korea.
Last week, North Korea said leader Kim Jong Un supervised missile tests from the country’s destroyer. After the test, Kim said the government remained focused on the “limitless expansion” of its nuclear forces and issued unspecified new tasks to sharpen the country’s nuclear attack and rapid-response capabilities.
International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi said last week the agency has confirmed “a rapid increase” in activities at nuclear facilities in North Korea.