North Korea launches ballistic missile into the sea, escalating tensions with South Korea and Japan

On October 2, 2026, North Korea fired a ballistic missile from Wonsan toward the sea off its east coast. The missile launch was confirmed by South Korea and Japan, with the missile landing outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. This incident heightened tensions between North and South Korea, especially after recent land mine explosions injured South Korean soldiers. The South Korean military has increased monitoring and is sharing intelligence with the United States and Japan regarding North Korean activities.