North Korea Fires Around 10 Ballistic Missiles Towards the Sea Amid Rising Tensions

North Korea has fired around 10 short range ballistic missiles towards the sea off its eastern coast, South Korea’s military said, raising fresh security concerns as tensions between the two Korean neighbours continue to increase.

According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, the missiles were launched at approximately 12:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, October 29, 2026, from an area near Wonsan on North Korea’s eastern coast. The projectiles reportedly travelled about 250 kilometres before landing in the sea. Japan’s Defence Ministry also reported the launch, saying the projectile fell outside Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

South Korea’s military said it had strengthened surveillance and remained on alert for possible additional launches. Seoul is also sharing information with the United States and Japan as the three countries monitor developments and assess the missiles’ specifications.

South Korea condemned the launches as violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions restricting North Korea’s ballistic missile activities. The latest incident marks another test in a year during which Pyongyang has conducted missile launches on more than 10 occasions.

The missile launches come amid growing tensions along the border between North and South Korea. Three South Korean soldiers were injured in a landmine explosion in the Demilitarised Zone on September 21. A joint investigation by South Korea and the United Nations concluded that North Korea had planted the mines, but Pyongyang has denied responsibility and rejected calls for an apology.

South Korea has proposed military talks with the North to help restore communication channels and prevent accidental clashes along the heavily fortified border. However, North Korea has yet to respond positively to the proposal, while both sides continue to accuse each other of increasing tensions.

The latest launch also comes amid uncertainty over possible nuclear negotiations between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump. Recent signals from Trump about a possible meeting with Kim have raised questions about the future of diplomacy and the role South Korea would play in any negotiations.

Although the missiles landed in the sea and Japan reported that they fell outside its exclusive economic zone, the launch highlights continuing military tensions in East Asia. Regional governments are monitoring the situation closely as diplomatic efforts to reduce hostility remain uncertain.