North Korea fired around 10 ballistic missiles toward the sea east of the Korean Peninsula on Saturday, according to South Korea’s military, in what analysts view as a show of force during ongoing joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were launched from the Sunan area near Pyongyang, which hosts the country’s main international airport. The weapons travelled approximately 350 kilometres before landing in waters off the eastern coast.
Japan confirmed the missiles did not enter its territory. Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said the projectiles landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone and that there were no reports of damage to aircraft or ships operating in the region.
Following the launches, South Korea’s military said it had intensified surveillance and maintained full readiness in case of further missile tests. Officials also confirmed that intelligence and operational data were being shared closely with the United States and Japan.
The missile launches occurred while American and South Korean forces are conducting their annual spring military exercises, which involve thousands of troops and advanced military systems. The drills come at a time when the United States is also deeply involved in an escalating conflict in the Middle East.
The global security situation has raised concerns within South Korea about the potential shifting of U.S. military resources. Local media reports, citing surveillance footage and other evidence, have speculated that Washington may be relocating some missile defence assets from South Korea to support operations against Iran.
When asked whether interceptor missiles from the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system in Seongju were being moved to the Middle East, the office of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said it could not comment on U.S. military operations.
However, officials emphasized that any potential relocation of American military equipment would not weaken the joint defense posture against nuclear-armed North Korea. The government also noted that South Korea maintains strong conventional military capabilities independent of U.S. missile defense systems.
The launches also took place shortly after South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok met U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. During the meeting, Kim expressed hope that diplomatic engagement between Washington and Pyongyang could eventually resume.
President Lee has advocated for improved relations between North and South Korea. Some officials in Seoul have suggested that Trump’s upcoming visit to China later this month could potentially create an opportunity for renewed dialogue with Pyongyang.
Saturday’s missile launches, however, appear to signal defiance from North Korea, which has taken a harder stance toward both Seoul and Washington in recent months. The government in Pyongyang has insisted that the United States abandon demands for nuclear disarmament before any negotiations can take place.
North Korea has historically condemned joint military drills between the United States and South Korea, describing them as preparations for an invasion. In response to such exercises, the North has often conducted missile tests or artillery drills, which it describes as simulations of nuclear strikes against South Korean targets.
Earlier this week, Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, criticized Washington and Seoul for continuing the exercises at what she described as a dangerous moment for global security. She warned that any actions threatening North Korea’s safety could lead to “terrible consequences.”
In her remarks, Kim Yo Jong also suggested that the international security order is rapidly deteriorating, referencing ongoing conflicts around the world. Without directly mentioning the war involving Iran, she said global stability is weakening as wars erupt due to what she called reckless actions by major powers.
North Korea’s Foreign Ministry has separately condemned recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran and publicly expressed support for Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.
The missile tests took place during the 11-day Freedom Shield exercise, one of the two major annual command post drills conducted by the United States and South Korea. The largely computer-simulated exercise is designed to test joint operational planning and readiness against evolving security threats.
Alongside Freedom Shield, the allies are also conducting field training exercises known as Warrior Shield to strengthen battlefield coordination and combat preparedness.
Diplomatic talks between Washington and Pyongyang have remained stalled since 2019, when negotiations collapsed following the second summit between Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump during Trump’s first presidential term.
In recent years, North Korea has shifted much of its diplomatic and military cooperation toward Russia. Pyongyang has reportedly supplied Moscow with troops and military equipment to support Russia’s war in Ukraine, potentially in exchange for economic aid and advanced military technology.
