North Korea Launches Ballistic Missile Toward East Sea After Seoul Demands Apology
North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward the East Sea on October 3, 2026. According to South Korean military officials, the projectile flew more than 700 kilometers.
Abdulrahman Sadikhli2 min read
North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward the East Sea on October 3, 2026. South Korean military authorities reported this, saying the projectile flew more than 700 kilometers.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea said the missile was detected after launch from the Wonsan area at approximately 6:30 a.m. local time, or 1:30 a.m. Baku time.
The launch prompted an emergency meeting at South Korea's National Security Office, where the country's combat readiness and possible security implications were discussed.
South Korean authorities said they are coordinating actions with the United States and Japan and exchanging intelligence about the launch.
Japan's Ministry of Defense also assessed that the projectile could be a ballistic missile, and Japanese maritime authorities warned vessels to stay clear of possible debris.
South Korean officials condemned the launch, saying North Korea's ballistic tests violate UN Security Council resolutions and do not help improve the security situation on the Korean Peninsula.
"We strongly urge North Korea to stop such actions," the South Korean presidential administration said.
The current launch is the latest episode in North Korea's missile activity. According to South Korean military assessments, the previous similar launch by Pyongyang took place on September 20.
The launch came after Seoul demanded an apology over injured soldiers.
The launch takes place amid ongoing security coordination between Seoul, Washington and Tokyo on issues related to North Korea's missile and nuclear program. The three countries regularly exchange intelligence and conduct military cooperation in connection with developments around North Korean weapons.
In recent years, North Korea has continued to develop and test various ballistic missile systems, drawing constant criticism from South Korea, Japan, the United States and the UN.
The projectile was launched toward the East Sea, known internationally as the Sea of Japan. South Korean and Japanese authorities continue to assess its trajectory and technical characteristics.
Source: azernews.az
