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North Korea test-fires suspected ballistic missiles, Japan says

Abcnews • October 12, 2026

LONDON and TOKYO -- North Korea test-fired on Monday at least two suspected ballistic missiles, both of which fell into the sea to the country's east, Japanese officials said.

"Earlier today, sometime after 9 a.m., North Korea launched at least two ballistic missiles from its interior toward the northeast and east; the missiles are estimated to have landed near North Korea's east coast and in the Sea of Japan," Japan's Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

Pyongyang has since the beginning of the year conducted at least 11 test-launches of some 18 ballistic missiles and other projectiles, "which already exceeds last year's number of launches by more than double and the number of projectiles by triple," Takashi Koyari, Japan's vice minister of defence for policy, told reporters during a press conference on Monday.

The first launch on Monday came at 9:19 a.m. local time, the ministry said. That missile climbed to 20 km, or 12 miles, in altitude and flew a distance of 220 km, or 142 miles, the ministry said.

The second was launched at 9:36 a.m. and climbed higher, to 70 km, or 43 miles, and flew farther than 910 km, or 565 miles, the ministry said.

"Regarding the second missile, Japan, the United States, and South Korea are currently conducting a detailed joint analysis, including the possibility that it flew on an irregular trajectory," the ministry said.

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There were no immediate reports of damage from the test-launches, Koyari said, but the "actions by North Korea threatens the peace and security of our country, the region, and the international community."

"Regarding this launch, we have lodged a stern protest and strong condemnation with North Korea through our embassy channel in Beijing," Koyari said.

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North Korea Launches Multiple Ballistic Missiles Amid Rising Tensions On October 12, 2026, North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles towards the Sea of Japan, escalating tensions in the region. The South Korean military reported that missiles were launched from the Pyongyang area, with at least one missile traveling over 900 kilometers. This launch follows a series of missile tests, including a hypersonic missile test on October 3, which North Korea claimed could evade missile defenses. The missile tests come amid heightened tensions after a landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone injured three South Korean soldiers, which South Korea attributed to North Korean forces. The South Korean government condemned the missile launches as violations of UN Security Council resolutions. Japan's Defense Ministry confirmed the detection of at least two missiles, which landed outside its exclusive economic zone. The situation remains critical as both North and South Korea continue to enhance their military capabilities. 45 sources 68

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