North Korea has launched multiple ballistic missiles into the sea, according to a report by South Korean news agency Yonhap, which cited information from Seoul’s military.
The missile test coincided with the start of Freedom Shield, an annual joint military exercise between South Korea and the United States, scheduled to run for 11 days.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported that the missiles were fired from Hwanghae Province in western North Korea at approximately 1:50 p.m. local time (0450 GMT). However, no additional details were provided.
In response, the JCS stated that surveillance operations have been intensified, and coordination with the U.S. military has been reinforced.
Pyongyang has strongly criticized these military drills, describing them as preparation for an invasion.
This missile test marks North Korea’s first known launch since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to office in January.
Despite being banned by United Nations resolutions from testing or launching ballistic missiles, North Korea has continued to develop its missile program.
These projectiles, often designed for surface-to-surface strikes, have the potential to be equipped with nuclear warheads.
Over the past two years, Pyongyang has ramped up its missile testing while escalating its confrontational stance toward the U.S. and South Korea. At the same time, it has deepened its military ties with Russia.