North Korea has once again fired an unidentified weapon into the sea off its eastern coast after nuclear inspectors called on the country to end all nuclear activities.
On Sunday, 20 Sep 2026 GMT+7, the South Korean military revealed that North Korea launched an unidentified missile from its eastern coastline, just days after Pyongyang reaffirmed its status as a nuclear-armed state.
"North Korea fired an unidentified missile into the East Sea," the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement, while Japan's Prime Minister's Office also confirmed the launch, posting on platform X that the missile "may have been a ballistic missile."
This missile launch came eight days after North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan; North Korea later said these were part of joint military exercises involving multiple branches.
Additionally, the launch occurred after Pyongyang rejected a resolution from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) demanding that North Korea cease all nuclear activities.
North Korea accused opposing forces of trying to end its nuclear program during the recent IAEA General Conference held last week.
A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that the IAEA resolution has no effect on North Korea’s status as a nuclear-armed state.
North Korea has legally enshrined its status as a nuclear weapons state, with Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un declaring this status permanent and irreversible.
Previously, U.S. President Donald Trump said in August that North Korea possessed about 57 "powerful" nuclear warheads, while South Korea estimates the number to be between 80 and 120.
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Source:cna