North Korea fires more than 10 missiles toward Sea of Japan

North Korea fired more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area toward the Sea of Japan on October 29, 2026, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). 

The JCS said it detected the launches at around 12:30 local time and that the missiles flew about 250 kilometers (approximately 155 miles). In an updated notice, it described the salvo as short-range ballistic missiles “and others” and said South Korean and US authorities were analyzing their exact specifications. 

According to the JCS, the two allies monitored the launch from its preparation stage, tracked the missiles immediately after liftoff and shared the data with Japan. 

Japan reports no damage to aircraft or ships 

Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MOD) said North Korea launched what may have been a ballistic missile at around 12:36 local time.  

The MOD estimated that the object fell near the east coast of the Korean Peninsula and said it had not been confirmed to enter Japan’s territory or exclusive economic zone (EEZ). As of the release, there were no reports of damage to aircraft or ships operating nearby. 

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ordered ministries to gather and analyze information, confirm the safety of aircraft and ships, and prepare for contingencies, according to the release. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi instructed the ministry to coordinate closely with the US and South Korea and maintain surveillance. 

North Korea continues series of ballistic missile launches 

The launch is North Korea’s 17th ballistic missile launch of 2026, according to a Yonhap News Agency count. It came 17 days after a launch from the Pyongyang area on October 12, 2026, when Japan’s MOD reported at least two missiles, one flying about 220 kilometers (approximately 137 miles) and another more than 910 kilometers (approximately 565 miles). 

On September 12, 2026, the JCS detected several short-range ballistic missiles launched from the Wonsan area that also flew about 250 kilometers (approximately 155 miles). North Korean state media said a drill held that day combined attack drones, cruise missiles, rocket artillery and tactical ballistic missiles. 

Missile launch follows South Korean offer of military talks 

On October 23, 2026, South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense proposed military talks with the North to mutually confirm the location of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), restore military communication lines and prevent accidental clashes. As of the launch, Pyongyang had not publicly responded. 

The proposal followed a mine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on September 21, 2026, that wounded three South Korean soldiers. On October 5, 2026, the JCS said a joint investigation with the United Nations Command (UNC) had concluded that North Korean anti-personnel mines had been placed south of the MDL, in violation of the Armistice Agreement. 

South Korea’s National Security Office convened an emergency meeting with the defense ministry and the JCS on October 29, 2026. It said the repeated launches violated UN Security Council resolutions, described them as serious acts that did nothing to help manage the current situation, and called on North Korea to stop immediately. The post North Korea fires more than 10 missiles toward Sea of Japan appeared first on AeroTime.

Go to Source