On 29 October 2026, Japanese authorities announced that North Korea had fired a missile that may be ballistic and that has already fallen, according to a statement by Japan’s government, while the South Korean military reported that roughly a dozen short‑range ballistic missiles were launched from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea.
Japan’s government said the missile may be ballistic and had fallen, it added, expressing concerns over regional security. The statement was issued by Japanese officials on 29 October 2026, according to Kyodo News.
Earlier that day, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected a launch of an unidentified projectile toward the East Sea, without elaborating on the nature of the rocket. The report came after a series of North Korean missile tests this month, including a multiple ballistic missile test on 12 October.
The South Korean military also reported that the unidentified projectile was fired from the eastern coast of North Korea, travelled over the East Sea, and landed within the subzone. No details about the projectile’s specifications were released.
Later in the day, the South Korean military said it had detected the launch of about a dozen short‑range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area, targeting the East Sea. The launch was monitored by U.S. and South Korean forces, and the military raised concerns over regional instability. No damage or casualties were reported.
The South Korean defense ministry confirmed overnight that it had detected a launch of twelve short‑range ballistic missiles from North Korea, using airborne early‑warning radar. The ministry said it was monitoring the situation closely, citing no casualties or damage and viewing the launch as a test of North Korea’s missile capabilities rather than an attack.
None of the reports noted casualties or damage, but all parties urged vigilance amid escalating tensions on the peninsula.
