Seoul, South Korea – North Korea has fired multiple ballistic missiles into the East Sea, marking its first weapons test of the year. The projectiles were launched from areas near Pyongyang on Sunday, January 4, 2026. This military action took place just hours before South Korean President Lee Jae-myung arrived in Beijing for a high-profile state visit and summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that the missiles travelled roughly 900 km before falling into the sea. The timing of the launch is being interpreted by regional analysts as a strategic signal to Beijing and Seoul, as the two leaders prepare to discuss peninsular peace and economic cooperation. In response to the incident, the South Korean government convened an emergency National Security Council meeting, while Japan’s Defence Ministry lodged a formal protest, describing the launches as a serious threat to regional stability. This escalation follows a recent directive from Kim Jong-un to significantly increase the production of tactical guided weapons ahead of the Ninth Party Congress.
