North Korea launches projectile off east coast

South Korea's military confirmed a launch on Thursday, while Japan's coast guard and defence ministry said the projectile could be a ballistic missile.

By Felo News Desk · Published Thu, 29 Oct 2026 06:59:17 GMT

South Korea said North Korea launched an unidentified projectile off its east coast on Thursday, with Japan's coast guard suggesting it may have been a ballistic missile.

What happened

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that the launch occurred on Thursday, but gave no details on the weapon type. Japan's Coast Guard said the projectile fell into the sea and could be a ballistic missile, and Japan's Defence Ministry said it had detected a possible ballistic launch, citing Yonhap News Agency.

What the reports add

The Winnipeg Free Press, citing the Associated Press, noted that the launch came five days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited China via a newly inaugurated bridge connecting the two countries.
The Independent reported that the launch follows North Korea's 12 October missile firing, which analysts described as a “show of force” after a mine blast that wounded South Korean soldiers.
The Independent added that Pyongyang has conducted missile tests on more than ten occasions this year and that a ballistic missile was also fired on 3 October, which state media KCNA said was a hypersonic missile tested under Kim Jong Un’s supervision.
Earlier in the month, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung oversaw the country’s first test‑firing of a hypersonic missile, a rare public showcase of a missile test by a South Korean president.

What was said

South Korea’s military spokesperson told the Associated Press that the launch happened on Thursday but provided no further details.

Japan’s Coast Guard, as reported by the Independent, said the projectile could be a ballistic missile.

Japan’s Defence Ministry, also via the Independent, said it detected a possible ballistic launch, referencing Yonhap News Agency.

A spokesperson for South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the 12 October launches appeared to be "a show of force in response to the successful test launch of our hypersonic missile, as well as an intentional demonstration of missile capabilities."

How it came about

The latest launch follows a series of recent tensions on the Korean peninsula. North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles on 11 October, as covered in Felo's report on Oct. 12. Earlier in the month, South Korea demanded an apology from Pyongyang after a DMZ mine blast that injured three soldiers, detailed in Felo articles from early September and early October.

Key facts

North Korea launched an unidentified projectile off its east coast on Thursday. (winnipegfreepress.com)
Japan's Coast Guard said the projectile could be a ballistic missile. (independent.co.uk)
The launch follows a 12 October missile firing by North Korea. (independent.co.uk)