North Korea fired a barrage of short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Thursday, despite Donald Trump’s overture to reengage Kim Jong-un. South Korea’s military said it detected about a dozen launches from the Pyongyang area at around 5 p.m. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said it is analyzing the launches with the United States and maintaining close coordination with Japan. Seoul and Washington also stressed readiness as Ulchi Freedom Shield continues.
North Korea fires a new intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile in this 2025 file photo released by the North's official Korean Central News Agency the following day. Yonhap
North Korea fired a barrage of short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Thursday, despite a recent olive branch offered by U.S. President Donald Trump who signaled a willingness to reengage with the North's leader Kim Jong-un.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected roughly a dozen short-range ballistic missiles launched from the Pyongyang area at around 5 p.m., adding that further analysis is under way in cooperation with the United States.
The military has stepped up surveillance and vigilance for possible additional launches while closely sharing related information with the U.S. and Japan as they maintain a full readiness posture, the JCS said.
