North Korea fires ballistic missile toward sea, South Korea and Japan say - Reuters

North Korea launched at least one ballistic missile from the port city of Wonsan on the Korean Peninsula’s eastern coast early on Saturday, October 2, 2026. The missile was reported to have traveled toward the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, and was not directed at South Korean territory. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the launch and raised an alert for possible further missile activity.

Japan’s government issued an emergency alert shortly after the launch, stating that a “suspected ballistic missile” had been fired by North Korea. The alert was disseminated through official channels to inform the public of the potential threat. South Korea, the United States and Japan said they were maintaining a “robust defence posture” through close information sharing on North Korean missile launches.

The missile launch occurred amid heightened tensions following a land‑mine explosion in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) that injured three South Korean soldiers on a reconnaissance mission. South Korea, the United States‑led United Nations Command and Seoul’s defence ministry attributed the blast to mines that they said were laid by North Korea on the South Korean side of the border. North Korea has denied responsibility for the incident.

North Korean officials responded to South Korea’s demand for an apology over the DMZ explosion. Kim Yo Jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong Un, rejected the apology request, describing Seoul’s demands as “despicable” and “utterly pathetic.” She also dismissed proposals for border talks as “wild dream and unilateral jargon” and said the North intended to “permanently cut ties” with the South.

South Korean Defence Minister Kang Shin‑chul said the mines were believed to be part of Pyongyang’s broader effort to fortify the border, which includes the installation of anti‑tank barriers. The ministry reiterated calls for North Korea to halt these fortification activities and to refrain from further missile launches that could destabilise the region.

No casualties were reported from the missile launch itself, and the trajectory was toward open water. Regional authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with South Korea’s military remaining on heightened alert and diplomatic channels remaining active amid the ongoing dispute over the DMZ incident.