North Korea Fires Missiles into Sea of Japan Before South Korea-China Talks
On Sunday (January 4, 2026), North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the sea, South Korea’s military reported.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) January 4, 2026: North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan early on Sunday, just hours before South Korean President Lee Jae Myung departed for China for talks that were expected to revolve around North Korea’s nuclear programme and Taiwan. It is a topic that has further deteriorated relations between China and both Japan and South Korea.
Missile Launch Details
The South Korean military said the North Korea's missile launch off happened on Sunday morning but gave no further details. Joint chiefs of staff of South Korea said it had spotted a number of missile launches from the area near North Korea’s capital around 7:50 a.m.
The missiles flew roughly 900 kilometres. The military also stated that South Korea was ready to respond to provocation as always and was closely sharing information with the US and Japan.
Later in the day there was an emergency national security council meeting in South Korea. Meanwhile, they also demanded that North Korea pull back missile strikes despite UN Security Council resolutions.
Japan's Strong Condemnations
On Saturday, Japan issued an emergency warning in the wake of North Korea's ballistic missile, easing tensions within the region and making East Asia more secure. Japan reported that there were also at least two missiles at distances of 900km (560 miles) and 950km (590 miles).
“North Korea’s nuclear and missile development threatens the peace and stability of our country and the international society, and is absolutely intolerable,” Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said.
Japan’s Ministry of Defence later added that the missile was believed to have fallen and that it was closely following events along with international allies.
Lee's China State Visit
The missile launches follow an atypical diplomatic moment in South Korea, where South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is to make a state visit to China on Sunday. Seoul has indicated that peace and stability on the Korean peninsula will be a top priority in the talks.
China’s President Xi Jinping will host Lee during the visit. Lee’s national security adviser, Wi Sung-lac, said South Korea anticipates a constructive role that Beijing will take toward peace on the peninsula, but did not specify any agenda items.
Kim Jong-un's Arms Directive
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un demanded more than double the production capacity of tactical guided weapons in his latest visit to a munitions factory on Saturday, according to North Korea’s state media.
Kim has visited several weapons factories in recent weeks, as well as a nuclear-powered submarine, and has overseen missile tests in preparation for this year’s Ninth Party Congress of the Workers’ Party to make major policy commitments.
