North Korea launches ballistic missiles towards sea off its east coast | Kim Jong Un News
North Korea Conducts Ballistic Missile Test Amid Increased Tensions
Published April 19, 2026
North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles from the eastern Sinpo area on Sunday morning, reported both South Korea and Japan. This event marks the seventh test of such missiles this year and the fourth occurring in April.
According to South Korea’s military, the missiles were fired around 6:10 a.m. local time (21:10 GMT on Saturday). In response, South Korea has enhanced its surveillance efforts and is coordinating closely with the United States and Japan.
The Japanese government indicated via social media that the missiles are believed to have landed in the waters near the Korean Peninsula’s eastern coast, with no confirmed incursions into Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
In light of the incident, South Korea’s presidential office convened an emergency security meeting, as reported by local media outlets.
These missile launches are seen as violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions aimed at curbing North Korea’s missile program. The North Korean government has consistently rejected the UN ban, claiming it undermines its sovereign right to self-defense.
The tests come ahead of an anticipated summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump in mid-May, where North Korea is expected to be a key topic of discussion.
Recent assessments from the International Atomic Energy Agency note that North Korea has made “very serious” advancements in its nuclear weapons capabilities, including the probable establishment of a new uranium enrichment facility, according to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.
Last month, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un asserted that his nation’s status as a nuclear-armed state was irreversible, stating that enhancing a “self-defensive nuclear deterrent” is vital for national security.
