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North Korea fires several ballistic missiles, escalates tensions
08 Apr 2026

North Korea launched several ballistic missiles on Wednesday morning, South Korea's military reported.

The missiles were fired from near Wonsan on the country's east coast at around 8:50am local time (2350 GMT Tuesday).

The projectiles traveled a distance of 240km.

This comes after a suspected ballistic missile launch was detected near Pyongyang on Tuesday.

National Security Council terms missile tests a provocation
Security response

In response to the missile launches, South Korea's presidential Blue House held an emergency National Security Council meeting.

The council termed the missile tests a provocation and a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Despite South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's recent conciliatory gesture toward Pyongyang over drone incursions, North Korea has reiterated its hostile stance.

'Republic of Korea remains an enemy state'
Diplomatic tensions

Jang Kum Chol, a senior official of North Korea's foreign ministry, said Seoul was engaging in "wishful thinking" if it believed relations could improve.

He emphasized that the identity of the Republic of Korea (ROK) as an enemy state remains unchanged.

Jang also dismissed interpretations of a recent statement from Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, as friendly.