North Korea Test-Fires Tactical Ballistic Missile, KCNA Says

· Security · North Korea · South Korea

North Korea test-fired a tactical ballistic missile, state media KCNA reported, saying the launch confirmed the successful technical upgrading of an important core element of the weapon. South Korea's military said the missiles were fired on October 12 from near Pyongyang, days after South Korea conducted its own hypersonic weapon test. US Pacific Command said North Korea fired two ballistic missiles and reaffirmed its defence commitment to allies, while the US and Japan reiterated their commitment to the complete denuclearisation of North Korea in high-level talks. The launches mark a renewed run of weapons tests on the Korean Peninsula.

Why it matters：The launches underscore stalled denuclearisation diplomacy and keep military tension high in Northeast Asia.

Key points

  • KCNA said the test confirmed the technical upgrade of an important core element of the missile
  • South Korea said the missiles were fired on October 12 from near Pyongyang
  • US Pacific Command said two ballistic missiles were fired; the US and Japan reaffirmed denuclearisation aims

Sources (original reporting)

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