N. Korea fires 1st ballistic missiles in 5 months ahead of Trump's trip to APEC summit

This file photo, released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on May 9, shows the North Korean army conducting a joint strike drill involving long-range artillery and a new variant of tactical ballistic missiles on the eastern front the previous day. Yonhap

North Korea fired its first ballistic missiles in five months Wednesday, about a week before South Korea is scheduled to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit and U.S. President Donald Trump's visit on the occasion.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected multiple short-range ballistic missiles launched northeastward at about 8:10 a.m. from Junghwa in North Korea's southern North Hwanghae Province.

The missiles flew about 350 kilometers, the JCS said, adding that further analysis is under way with the U.S. side to determine its specifications. Officials were weighing the possibility that the missiles were the same tactical ballistic one North Korea test-fired in September 2024.

Sources suggested the missiles may have landed somewhere in North Hamgyong Province rather than in the East Sea.

The North last fired short-range ballistic and cruise missiles toward the East Sea on May 8 and May 22, respectively.

"The South Korean and U.S. intelligence officials had detected signs of North Korea's missile launch preparations in advance and had been monitoring the situation before detecting and tracking the launch immediately after it was carried out," the JCS said in a release, adding relevant information has been promptly shared with the United States and Japan.

"The South's military is closely monitoring the movements by the North under a resolute combined defense posture with the U.S. while maintaining the capability and readiness to respond overwhelmingly to any provocation," it added.

It marks the North's first missile launch since President Lee Jae Myung took office in June and the fifth ballistic missile launch so far this year.

North Korea appears to be flexing its military presence ahead of the upcoming APEC summit, scheduled to take place Oct. 31-Nov. 1, when Lee is expected to meet with the U.S. and Chinese presidents on the margins of the summit to discuss North Korean issues.

During its large-scale military parade earlier this month, North Korea unveiled its new Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) for the first time, believed to be capable of hitting anywhere on the U.S. mainland.

The disclosure of the new ICBM sparked speculation that it may also undergo a test launch in the near future.

Wednesday's launch also came amid speculation that Trump may meet with Kim, possibly in the inter-Korean truce village of Panmunjom, during the U.S. president's trip to South Korea.

Meanwhile, observers suggested that the latest launches may be provocations targeting Seoul, given their short range.