North Korea Launches Short‑Range Missiles Toward East Sea, South Korea Condemns Violation

Updated 2026-01-27 10:32:05+00:00 (18 articles)

North Korea fired multiple short‑range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea at about 3:50 p.m. on Jan. 27, 2026, traveling roughly 350 km before landing in the water, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff and U.S. analysts [1][4][5][6]. The launch involved several projectiles, marking the latest in a series of recent tests following a Jan. 4 hypersonic trial [1][5]. Detection was confirmed by both South Korean and U.S. monitoring systems, which are now analyzing flight data [1][4].

Seoul issued a formal condemnation labeling the test a UN Security Council breach and demanded an immediate halt to all provocative actions [1][2][3]. The Office of National Security briefed President Lee Jae Myung and convened an emergency security meeting with senior military officials to coordinate a response [1][2]. The statement emphasized that the launch threatens regional stability and violates multiple UN resolutions [2][3].

The missile test was timed ahead of the Workers’ Party’s first congress in five years scheduled for early next month, a move analysts view as Pyongyang’s attempt to showcase military strength before setting defense and diplomatic policies [1][4][5]. Observers link the timing to anticipated policy lines on defense, diplomacy, and the economy [4][5]. The launch therefore carries both tactical and political signaling purposes [1][4].

U.S. officials highlighted Seoul’s expanding defense responsibilities and assessed no immediate threat after the launch [4][5]. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby concluded a three‑day Korea visit on Jan. 27, discussing nuclear‑powered submarines and operational control with South Korean leaders [4][5]. A newly released Pentagon strategy urges South Korea to assume a primary role in regional security, labeling North Korea a direct military threat [4][5]. U.S. Forces Korea stated the event does not pose an immediate danger to U.S. personnel or allies [4].

Sources (6 articles)

Timeline

Oct 22, 2025 – North Korea conducts a missile test, shown in a KCNA photo that later appears in reports on early‑2026 launches, illustrating the regime’s ongoing development program[17].

Nov 7, 2025 – Pyongyang fires a short‑range ballistic missile toward the East Sea, marking its sixth ballistic launch of the previous year and establishing a pattern of frequent testing[15].

Dec 28, 2025 – North Korea tests long‑range strategic cruise missiles, with flight times of about 10,200 seconds; analysts cite the test as evidence of possible Russian technical assistance for its missile program[2].

Jan 3‑4, 2026 (≈ 7:50 a.m. local) – North Korea launches several ballistic missiles from the Pyongyang area toward the East Sea, flying roughly 900 km and landing in the sea; the JCS shares data with the United States and Japan and heightens surveillance[3][16].

Jan 4, 2026 (morning) – President Lee Jae‑Myung departs for a state visit to Beijing, meeting President Xi Jinping; South Korean officials hope China will help promote peninsula peace, while Kim Jong Un visits a munitions factory and orders production capacity to more than double ahead of the upcoming Workers’ Party congress[1][1].

Jan 4, 2026 (afternoon) – South Korea’s Cheong Wa Dae convenes an emergency national‑security council meeting, condemning the missile launches as a “clear violation” of UN Security Council resolutions and urging Pyongyang to cease provocations[12].

Jan 9, 2026 – North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, the first weapons test of the year; South Korea holds an emergency meeting led by Deputy National Security Adviser Lim Jong‑deuk, and Kim Jong Un’s daughter Ju‑ae appears publicly with her father, projecting socialist imagery[11].

Early Jan 2026 – The U.S. Department of Defense releases a new strategy calling for South Korea to assume a “primary” role in its own defense, labeling North Korea a “direct military threat” and warning of a “clear and present” nuclear danger to the United States homeland[6][9].

Jan 27, 2026 (≈ 3:50 p.m.) – North Korea launches short‑range missiles toward the East Sea, traveling about 350 km; South Korea’s Office of National Security labels the act a UN violation, convenes an emergency security meeting, and briefs President Lee Jae‑Myung on the response[5][7].

Jan 27, 2026 (later that day) – U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby ends a three‑day Korea visit, meeting South Korean senior officials on nuclear‑powered submarines and operational‑control issues before departing for Japan; the Pentagon’s new strategy underpins the heightened alert, while U.S. Forces Korea states the launch poses no immediate threat to U.S. personnel or assets[6][9].

Feb 2026 (early month – expected) – North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party is slated to hold its first congress in five years, a gathering expected to set policy lines on defense, diplomacy and the economy and to follow a series of missile demonstrations that signal Pyongyang’s leverage ahead of potential talks with the United States[2][6].