Seoul: North Korea has conducted another test of a guided missile, launching several ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast. This development comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions due to the ongoing war in Iran and speculation about potential future discussions between the United States and South Korea.

According to Thai News Agency, South Korea's Chief of Staff reported that the missiles were launched at approximately 6:10 a.m. local time from near Sinpo, a coastal city known for its significant submarine base. The missiles traveled around 140 kilometers before landing in the sea outside Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). While the specific type of missile has not been confirmed, there is an ongoing analysis by the South Korean military to determine if they were submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).

In response to the launch, South Korea's presidential office convened an emergency National Security Council meeting, condemning the action as a provocation in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions. Additionally, Japan's Ministry of Defense expressed strong protest through diplomatic channels at North Korea's embassy in Beijing, asserting that such actions threaten regional peace and security. Officials are currently examining the details of the launch, including the launch origin-whether from sea or land-and analyzing the missile's distance and altitude. The US Indo-Pacific Command also acknowledged the launch, indicating that it is in close coordination with allies and noting that the incident does not pose a direct threat to US personnel or territory at this time.

This latest missile test is the fourth in April and the seventh overall for 2026. Analysts attribute this to North Korea's desire to exhibit its self-defense capabilities, especially in comparison to Iran, amidst global attention on the Middle East conflict. The timing is also noteworthy as it precedes US President Donald Trump's scheduled visit to Asia in May, which may present a chance to resume diplomatic relations with North Korea. Concurrently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently raised concerns about significant progress in North Korea's nuclear weapons development, including the potential addition of a new uranium enrichment facility.