N. Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles after S. Korea's hypersonic weapon test

North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Monday after South Korea test-fired a hypersonic glide vehicle. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff detected the launches at about 9:20 a.m. from the Pyongyang area, with at least one missile flying more than 900 kilometers. The JCS described the launches as an apparent protest and a display of North Korea’s missile capabilities.

South Korea conducted its first test launch of a hypersonic glide vehicle on Thursday after a Sept. 21 mine blast in the Demilitarized Zone.

The JCS said it needed further analysis to determine whether the missiles were hypersonic or intermediate-range weapons.

A joint South Korea-U.N. Command investigation determined that antipersonnel mines deliberately planted by North Korea caused the DMZ explosions, while Pyongyang denied responsibility.

Hypersonic missiles generally travel at least Mach 5, can maneuver along unpredictable flight paths and are designed to fly at low altitudes.

North Korea previously fired a ballistic missile from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea on Oct. 3, and its state media described it as an intermediate-range strategic missile.

Published Oct 12, 2026 9:38 am KST

Updated Oct 12, 2026 6:01 pm KST

A television screen broadcasts the news of North Korea's launch of ballistic missiles at a station in Seoul, Monday. EPA-Yonhap

North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Monday, South Korea's military said, in an apparent show of force against the South's recent successful test-fire of a hypersonic missile.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launch at about 9:20 a.m. from the Pyongyang area and that at least one of the missiles flew more than 900 kilometers.

"Initial analysis suggests (Monday's launch) was seen as a protest against the successful launch of our hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) and a display of the North's achievements under its five-year plan to bolster defense capabilities and a deliberate show of its missile capabilities," JCS spokesperson Jang Do-young told a press briefing.

When asked if the missiles launched were hypersonic or intermediate-range missiles, Jang declined to comment, saying the military needs to further analyze the specifications of the launch.

South Korea conducted its first test launch of a HGV on Thursday in an apparent show of force against North Korea following the Sept. 21 mine blast on the South's side of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

A joint investigation with the U.N. Command earlier determined that the explosions were caused by antipersonnel land mines planted deliberately by North Korea. Pyongyang has denied any responsibility, accusing Seoul of fabricating its findings.

A hypersonic missile is usually hard to intercept with existing missile defense shields. It travels at a speed of at least Mach 5 — five times the speed of sound — and is designed to be maneuverable on unpredictable flight paths and fly at low altitudes.

The North's latest missile launch came after it fired one ballistic missile from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea on Oct. 3.

North Korean state media reported the following day that Pyongyang launched an intermediate-range strategic missile as part of efforts to train missile troops operating the "hypersonic strategic weapon system."

The North last fired ballistic missiles from the Pyongyang area on Aug. 20.

周一，在韩国试射高超音速滑翔飞行器后，朝鲜向东海发射了多枚弹道导弹。韩国联合参谋本部于上午9点20分左右探测到平壤地区的发射，其中至少有一枚导弹飞行距离超过900公里。联合参谋本部称，此次发射显然是对韩国的抗议，也是朝鲜展示其导弹能力的举措。

韩国在9月21日非军事区发生地雷爆炸后，于周四进行了首次高超音速滑翔飞行器试射。

联合参谋部表示，需要进一步分析以确定这些导弹是高超音速武器还是中程武器。

韩国和联合国军司令部联合调查认定，朝鲜蓄意埋设的杀伤人员地雷导致了非军事区爆炸，但平壤否认对此负责。

高超音速导弹通常以至少 5 马赫的速度飞行，可以沿着不可预测的飞行路径进行机动，并且设计用于低空飞行。

朝鲜此前于10月3日从元山地区向东海发射了一枚弹道导弹，其官方媒体称其为中程战略导弹。

发布于2026年10月12日上午9:38（韩国标准时间）

更新于2026年10月12日 下午6:01（韩国标准时间）

周一，首尔一家电视台的电视屏幕上播放着朝鲜发射弹道导弹的新闻。EPA-韩联社

韩国军方称，朝鲜周一向东海发射了多枚弹道导弹，这显然是对韩国近期成功试射高超音速导弹的一种武力示威。

联合参谋本部表示，他们于上午 9 点 20 分左右探测到平壤地区发射导弹，其中至少有一枚导弹飞行距离超过 900 公里。

联合参谋本部发言人张道英在新闻发布会上表示：“初步分析表明，（周一的发射）被视为对我们高超音速滑翔飞行器（HGV）成功发射的抗议，也是朝鲜展示其五年国防能力提升计划所取得的成就，以及蓄意展示其导弹能力。”

当被问及发射的导弹是高超音速导弹还是中程导弹时，张拒绝置评，称军方需要进一步分析此次发射的具体情况。

在9月21日朝鲜在非军事区（DMZ）韩国一侧发生地雷爆炸事件后，韩国于周四进行了首次重型车辆试飞，这显然是对朝鲜的武力展示。

此前，与联合国军司令部联合进行的调查认定，爆炸是由朝鲜蓄意埋设的杀伤人员地雷引起的。平壤否认对此负有任何责任，并指责首尔捏造调查结果。

高超音速导弹通常难以被现有的导弹防御系统拦截。它的飞行速度至少达到5马赫——是音速的五倍——并且设计成能够在不可预测的飞行路径上进行机动飞行，同时低空飞行。

朝鲜最近一次导弹发射是在10月3日从元山地区向东海发射一枚弹道导弹之后。

朝鲜官方媒体第二天报道称，平壤发射了一枚中程战略导弹，这是训练操作“高超音速战略武器系统”的导弹部队工作的一部分。

朝鲜最后一次从平壤地区发射弹道导弹是在8月20日。