Seoul, South Korea *(Rajeev Sharma): North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles on Wednesday morning, just one week before South Korea hosts a major Asia-Pacific summit that will bring together top world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
The launches were detected by South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, who reported that the missiles were fired from an area near Pyongyang and flew northeast for approximately 350 kilometers (around 217 miles). Officials believe the missiles landed within North Korean territory and posed no immediate external threat.
The test is North Korea’s first known ballistic missile activity since May and comes amid heightened global attention ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, where critical discussions on trade, security, and regional cooperation are expected. President Trump is also scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the event.
In response to the missile launches, South Korea’s presidential office quickly called a security meeting. Military leaders and senior advisors briefed President Lee on the developments as defense readiness levels were reviewed.
The South Korean military said it had observed signs of preparation before the launch, allowing it to closely track the missiles once they were airborne. Coordination with allies—including the United States and Japan—was immediately initiated to share intelligence and assess the implications.
Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed that there was no threat to Japan’s territory and that Tokyo had been in close contact with both Seoul and Washington throughout the incident.
This missile activity continues a familiar pattern for Pyongyang, which has historically timed weapons tests around significant diplomatic events to reassert its presence on the international stage. Despite multiple rounds of sanctions imposed by the United Nations, North Korea has maintained a steady pace of missile development, including work on intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.
Earlier this month, North Korea unveiled its latest ICBM model during a military parade, which was reportedly attended by a high-ranking Chinese delegation—a signal of both military progress and ongoing strategic alignment.
Security experts warn that the timing of Wednesday’s launch may be more than symbolic. “This could be a calculated move to influence the narrative at APEC and remind the region that North Korea remains a central security issue,” said one Seoul-based defense analyst.
As preparations continue for the APEC summit, all eyes are now on how leaders will address regional threats and whether North Korea’s provocations will steer the focus toward renewed diplomatic engagement or calls for stronger deterrence.
