North Korea launches multiple ballistic missiles, South Korea says

SEOUL – North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles towards the sea off its east coast on Oct 12, South Korea’s military said, in its latest weapons test amid rising tensions on the Korean peninsula.The missiles were fired at around 9.20am local time from near Pyongyang, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.Earlier, Japan’s coast guard said North Korea had fired two unidentified projectiles, believed to be ballistic missiles, adding that both appeared to have already fallen.Tensions have been rising between the two Koreas in recent weeks amid weapons tests by both countries and a border mine blast in September that wounded three South Korean soldiers.Seoul said the landmines had been planted by North Korea and demanded an apology, but Pyongyang has dismissed this and accused South Korea of provocation.Last week, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung oversaw the country’s first test-firing of a hypersonic missile, a rare public showcasing of a missile test by a South Korean president.North Korea last fired a ballistic missile on Oct 3. North Korea’s Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un, said the launch was a test of an intermediate-range strategic missile.Pyongyang has conducted missile tests on more than 10 occasions in 2026. REUTERS