North Korea Launches Multiple Ballistic Missiles Ahead of South Korea–China Talks

KCNA via Reuters

North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, at the site of a test firing of a long-range surface-to-air missile near the Sea of Japan on 24 December 2025.

North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles towards the sea on Sunday, according to South Korea and Japan, just hours before South Korean President Lee Jae Myung was due to depart for China for talks expected to address Pyongyang’s nuclear programme.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected several ballistic missile launches from the vicinity of the North Korean capital at around 7:50 a.m. local time. The missiles reportedly travelled approximately 900 kilometres before landing in the sea. South Korean and United States authorities are analysing the details of the launches.

The Joint Chiefs said South Korea remains fully prepared to respond to any provocation and is closely sharing intelligence with the United States and Japan.

Following the launch, South Korea’s National Security Council convened an emergency meeting. In a statement, the presidential office described the missile tests as a “provocative act” and a clear violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Japan’s Defence Ministry also confirmed detecting ballistic missile activity. According to Japanese officials, two missiles reached an altitude of around 50 kilometres and travelled distances of approximately 900 and 950 kilometres respectively.

“North Korea’s nuclear and missile development threatens the peace and stability of our country and the international community, and is absolutely intolerable,” Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi told reporters.

The launches mark Pyongyang’s first ballistic missile test since November, when it carried out a test shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump approved South Korea’s plan to develop a nuclear-powered submarine.

Analysts suggest recent U.S. military action against Venezuela may have influenced Pyongyang’s decision to proceed with the launch. North Korea has long argued that its nuclear and missile programmes are necessary to deter what it claims are U.S.-led efforts to overthrow its government, allegations Washington has repeatedly denied.

“They likely fear that the United States could launch a precision strike at any moment, threatening the regime’s survival,” said Hong Min, an analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification.

The missile test came just hours before President Lee was scheduled to travel to Beijing for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. China remains North Korea’s most important economic partner, and Lee is expected to seek Beijing’s support in efforts to improve inter-Korean relations.

North Korea is also preparing for a major congress of its ruling party in the coming weeks, its first in five years. Economic policy, defence strategy and military planning are expected to feature prominently.

Ahead of the congress, leader Kim Jong-un has ordered a significant expansion and modernisation of the country’s missile production capabilities. State media reported on Sunday that Kim visited a facility involved in manufacturing tactical guided weapons, where he instructed officials to increase production capacity by 250 percent.

Source: The Guardian



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