North Korea test-fires at least one ballistic missile: Yonhap
North Korea fired a ballistic missile towards the east, Yonhap News Agency said on Sunday, citing South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). This is the first firing of ballistic missiles by the North since April 8 and marks the latest in a series of launches this year.
- World
- Reuters
- Published Date: 12:53 | 19 April 2026
- Modified Date: 01:25 | 19 April 2026
North Korea test-fired at least one ballistic missile on Sunday, the Yonhap news agency reported, the latest in a flurry of launches by the nuclear-armed state.
The agency said the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff detected one ballistic missile that had been fired toward the east, and was analyzing the incident.
North Korea tested weapon systems over three days earlier this month, including the firing of ballistic missiles and cluster bombs, state media said on April 8.
Analysts said these earlier launches signalled North Korea's latest rebuff of attempts by Seoul to repair ties.
Those included an expression of regret from Seoul over civilian drone incursions into the North in January.
The comments were initially described as "very fortunate and wise behaviour" by Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korea's leader.
But this month a senior North Korean official described the South as "the enemy state most hostile" to Pyongyang, reviving a label previously used by leader Kim Jong Un.
- Arab nations condemn deadly attack on French UN peacekeeper in Lebanon
- Hundreds of Israelis protest continuing war against Lebanon
- France's Bardella calls Trump’s Middle East policy ‘erratic’
- Spain’s Sanchez calls for UN reform, urges stronger defense of democracy
- Turkish first lady attends 'One Heart for Palestine' panel at Antalya Diplomacy Forum