North Korea fires 10 ballistic missiles, South Korea raises alert

North Korea has fired around 10 ballistic missiles towards waters off its eastern coast, South Korea’s military said on Thursday, raising fresh security concerns in the region as authorities monitor the possibility of further launches.

According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, the projectiles were launched from North Korea’s eastern coastal area. The military said it was closely monitoring developments and maintaining information-sharing arrangements with the United States and Japan.

The latest launches come amid continued regional concerns over North Korea’s missile programme and its growing military capabilities. However, further details about the missiles’ flight paths, ranges and intended targets were not immediately available.

Japan’s Coast Guard separately reported that North Korea may have conducted a ballistic missile test, with a projectile believed to have fallen into the sea.

Japanese media reported that the missile appeared to have landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the maritime area in which a country has special rights over resources.

Japanese authorities continued monitoring the situation following the reported launch. The initial information did not indicate that the projectile had landed within Japan’s EEZ.

South Korea said it was working with Washington and Tokyo to exchange information about the launches and assess the potential security implications. The three countries have maintained close coordination in response to North Korea’s missile tests.

North Korea’s missile activities have repeatedly heightened tensions across Northeast Asia, prompting South Korea, the United States and Japan to strengthen security cooperation and monitoring efforts.

The latest developments also come as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly arrived in China, according to the supplied report. Details about the purpose of his visit and any possible connection with the missile launches were not immediately available.

Authorities in the region are expected to continue tracking North Korea’s military activities as they assess whether additional launches could follow.

The reported firing of 10 ballistic missiles marks a significant military development, although further information will be needed to establish the precise characteristics of the projectiles and the broader implications for regional security.