North Korea Fires Multiple Ballistic Missiles Again, South Korea Convenes Emergency Security Meeting
North Korea launched ballistic missiles from near Sinpo on the east coast, marking its 7th test this year. South Korea convened an emergency security meeting.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 19, 2026 at 10:38
- 🔍 Collected: April 19, 2026 at 11:00 (22 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 11:15 (15 min after Collected)
According to Reuters and AFP reports, North Korea has test-fired missiles 7 times this year, 4 times in April alone.
Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Kyungnam University in South Korea, stated: "With the US focused on the situation in Iran, North Korea sees this as a golden opportunity to upgrade its nuclear and missile capabilities."
A statement from the South Korean military indicated that North Korea launched missiles from near the east coast city of Sinpo at around 6:10 AM.
The military added: "We have strengthened our monitoring and alertness against the possibility of further launches by North Korea."
The Japanese government posted on social media that these ballistic missiles are estimated to have fallen near the waters off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula, and it has not been confirmed that they entered Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The timing of North Korea's test launch is sensitive because the United States and China are preparing for a summit in mid-May, at which time US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to discuss issues including North Korea.
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said on the 15th that North Korea has made "very significant" progress in its nuclear weapons production capabilities and may have added a new uranium enrichment facility.
At the end of March, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stated that Pyongyang's status as a nuclear-armed state is irreversible, and expanding its "self-defensive nuclear deterrent" is crucial to national security. (Translator: Tsai Chia-min) 1150419
Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Kyungnam University in South Korea, stated: "With the US focused on the situation in Iran, North Korea sees this as a golden opportunity to upgrade its nuclear and missile capabilities."
A statement from the South Korean military indicated that North Korea launched missiles from near the east coast city of Sinpo at around 6:10 AM.
The military added: "We have strengthened our monitoring and alertness against the possibility of further launches by North Korea."
The Japanese government posted on social media that these ballistic missiles are estimated to have fallen near the waters off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula, and it has not been confirmed that they entered Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The timing of North Korea's test launch is sensitive because the United States and China are preparing for a summit in mid-May, at which time US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to discuss issues including North Korea.
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said on the 15th that North Korea has made "very significant" progress in its nuclear weapons production capabilities and may have added a new uranium enrichment facility.
At the end of March, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stated that Pyongyang's status as a nuclear-armed state is irreversible, and expanding its "self-defensive nuclear deterrent" is crucial to national security. (Translator: Tsai Chia-min) 1150419