The South Korean military disclosed that North Korea fired approximately 12 short-range guided missiles from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea today amid tense border conditions between the two Koreas. This followed South Korea's proposal to open military talks to discuss border lines and restore communication channels, to which North Korea has not yet responded.
South Korea's military revealed that North Korea launched about 12 short-range guided missiles from Wonsan city on the country's east coast, heading toward the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, at around 12:30 p.m. local time today (29 Oct).
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported that their forces detected the missile launch and are analyzing further data regarding flight range and other characteristics. They have increased surveillance levels and are prepared for possible additional launches, coordinating closely with the United States and Japan.
Japan's coast guard reported that the objects suspected to be missiles launched by North Korea appear to have fallen into the sea. They issued advisories urging vessels navigating the area to exercise heightened caution.
This missile launch follows North Korea’s recent tests of several weapons, including a new high-precision guided torpedo system and a medium-range hypersonic missile, both reportedly incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
Additionally, this latest launch comes amid escalating tensions after landmine explosions occurred near the heavily fortified border between North and South Korea, injuring three South Korean soldiers.
A joint investigation by South Korea and the United Nations earlier this month concluded that North Korea had placed these landmines over a year ago. South Korea accused North Korea of clearly violating the armistice agreement and called for a return to dialogue.
However, North Korea mocked South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s proposal. Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, described the proposal as "the height of a joke."
Last week, South Korea proposed opening military talks with North Korea to confirm the exact border line and discuss restoring communication channels, but North Korea has not yet responded to this offer.
The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is one of the most heavily fortified border areas in the world. Incidents involving landmines here have repeatedly heightened tensions between the two countries. North and South Korea remain technically at war, as the Korean War ended in 1953 with an armistice, not a peace treaty.
Meanwhile, recent efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump to engage North Korea have raised concerns that South Korea might be sidelined in any nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang. Trump recently downplayed the likelihood of a near-term summit with North Korean leadership but maintained that his relationship with Kim Jong-un remains "very good."
Earlier in October, North Korea fired several short-range guided missiles after Trump suggested a possible meeting between the two leaders this year. The most recent previous weapons test before today occurred on 12 October, which North Korea claimed was a tactical missile test to develop key components of their weapons system.