North Korea fires ballistic missiles as South Korea’s President Lee Jae-Myung travels to China on a state visit, underscoring the fragile security situation on the Korean Peninsula and the uneasy balance between military posturing and diplomacy.
Early Sunday morning, North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles from its capital, Pyongyang, toward waters off its eastern coastline. According to South Korea’s military, the launches occurred at around 7:50 a.m. local time, prompting immediate monitoring and coordination among regional allies.
This marked Pyongyang’s first ballistic missile test in roughly two months, coming at a sensitive moment as South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung begins a state visit to China. Seoul has indicated that discussions during the trip will include efforts to reduce tensions and promote peace on the Korean Peninsula.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the military has stepped up surveillance and readiness in case of additional launches. Officials added that intelligence is being closely shared with the United States and Japan to ensure a coordinated response. Japan’s Ministry of Defense later confirmed that the missiles appear to have already landed in the sea.
The timing of the launch coincides with heightened activity inside North Korea. State media reported that leader Kim Jong Un recently urged a dramatic expansion in the production capacity of tactical guided weapons during a visit to a munitions factory. In recent weeks, Kim has toured multiple weapons facilities, inspected a nuclear-powered submarine, and overseen missile tests ahead of the ruling Workers’ Party’s upcoming Ninth Party Congress, where major policy priorities are expected to be outlined.
Meanwhile, in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to host Lee for high-level talks beginning Sunday. Lee’s security adviser, Wi Sung-lac, said Seoul hopes China will play a constructive role in easing tensions and encouraging stability on the peninsula, though specific details of the agenda have not been made public.
Analysts say Lee is likely to press Beijing to use its influence to reopen channels of dialogue with North Korea—an uphill task, given Pyongyang’s recent dismissal of outreach efforts from Seoul. Still, the visit highlights South Korea’s belief that diplomacy, even amid provocations, remains essential to managing one of the world’s most enduring security challenges.
