Japanese officials announced on 29 October 2026 that North Korea fired a missile that may be ballistic and has already fallen, according to statements from Japan’s Defence Ministry and the Coast Guard. The report came hours after South Korean forces detected a launch that the Joint Chiefs of Staff described as a projectile over the East Sea.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the launch was detected by radar and satellite and that the projectile was fired from the eastern coast of North Korea. In a separate briefing, the South Korean Army confirmed that roughly a dozen short‑range ballistic missiles were launched from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea, with the missiles travelling approximately 250 kilometres before landing in the subzone.
Both U.S. and South Korean forces monitored the launches with airborne early‑warning radar and ground sensors. The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that the missile tests were detected and monitored by U.S. and South Korean forces, raising concerns over regional instability and prompting a rapid review of surveillance protocols.
In response, the South Korean presidential office held an emergency meeting on Thursday morning. President Yoon Suk‑yeol urged the country to respond swiftly and to brief national security officials and allied partners, as the JCS confirmed that the missiles travelled around 250 kilometres. The administration is reviewing readiness plans and may consider a coordinated response.
Japan’s Coast Guard has advised ships to monitor further information and avoid approaching any fallen objects. The United States has been notified of the developments and is coordinating with South Korea to share intelligence and maintain a robust defence posture surrounding the recent missile launch.
