SEOUL, 04 January (H.S.): North Korea launched several ballistic missiles from near its capital Pyongyang toward the East Sea at approximately 7:50 a.m. local time on Sunday, marking Pyongyang's inaugural weapons test of 2026 and the first in two months.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) detected the projectiles, estimated to have flown roughly 900 kilometers (560 miles), prompting heightened surveillance and coordination with the United States and Japan.

Japan's Ministry of Defense confirmed at least two missiles had splashed down outside its exclusive economic zone, exhibiting irregular trajectories with maximum altitudes around 50 kilometers and ranges of 900-950 kilometers.

The provocation unfolded hours before South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's four-day state visit to China commenced, featuring summit talks with President Xi Jinping on Korean Peninsula peace, economic ties, supply chains, digital economy, and transnational crime.

Lee's security adviser Wi Sung-lac anticipates Beijing's role in fostering North Korea dialogue, amid Pyongyang's rejection of prior Seoul overtures.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, fresh from Saturday's munitions factory inspection urging doubled tactical guided weapons output, has ramped up arms factory tours, nuclear submarine reviews, and tests ahead of the Ninth Party Congress. This follows a November 7 short-range ballistic missile firing, underscoring persistent military posturing.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar