Seoul, April 8, 2026: North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles in two separate rounds on Wednesday, the South Korean military confirmed, marking Pyongyang’s fourth and fifth known missile tests this year. The launches come a day after an “unidentified projectile” was fired from the Pyongyang area.
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The first round of missiles was launched at approximately 8:50 a.m. local time (2350 GMT Tuesday) from the Wonsan region, travelling roughly 240 kilometres (149 miles) toward the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan. The second round, fired around 2:20 p.m., flew over 700 kilometres.
The Japan Coast Guard also reported a “suspected ballistic missile” launch and issued warnings to maritime vessels to remain vigilant.
Seoul’s Response
South Korea’s presidential Blue House convened an emergency meeting of the Office of National Security, urging Pyongyang to immediately halt provocations. The missile tests came shortly after President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret over civilian drone incursions into North Korea earlier this year, calling the operation “irresponsible” and highlighting the involvement of government officials.
Pyongyang’s Position
Following Seoul’s statement, Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, praised the South’s response as “wise behaviour.” However, senior North Korean official Jang Kum Chol, first vice-minister of the foreign ministry, reasserted hostile rhetoric toward Seoul, calling it “the enemy state most hostile” to North Korea and dismissing reports of friendly comments as “nonsense” and “hope-filled dream reading” by “world-startling fools.”
Lim Eul-chul, a North Korea expert at Kyungnam University, said the missile launches were intended to demonstrate Pyongyang’s firm anti-South stance despite repeated diplomatic overtures.
China’s Diplomatic Visit
Pyongyang’s state media announced that China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, will visit North Korea on a two-day trip starting Thursday. The visit precedes a planned US-China summit next month and has sparked speculation about a potential meeting between Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump.
Trump, who has criticized Seoul’s support during the Middle East conflict, has emphasized his personal ties with Kim, saying earlier this week, “We’ve got 45,000 soldiers in South Korea to protect [them] from Kim Jong Un, who I get along with very well.” The United States currently maintains approximately 28,500 troops in South Korea.
