North Korea Shoots Missiles Ahead Of APEC Summit In South Korea

Illustration of the launch of North Korea's Hwasong-11 ballistic missile. (Source: KCNA)

JAKARTA - North Korea fired its first suspected ballistic missile in five months on Wednesday, about a week before South Korea was scheduled to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit (APEC) which is planned to be attended by US President Donald Trump.

South Korea's military Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said they detected several short-range ballistic missiles launched northeast at around 08.10 from Junghwa in North Hwanghae Province, North Korea, south.

The missiles flew about 350 kilometers, JCS said, adding they were trying to determine the exact specifications with the US side, quoted from The Korea Times Oct. 22.

Officials are considering the possibility of the missiles being the same tactical ballistic missile North Korea tested in September 2024.

Meanwhile, sources said the missiles might land on land, not in the East Sea.

North Korea last fired ballistic missiles and short-range cruise missiles into the East Sea on May 8 and May 22.

"Our military has stepped up monitoring as preparation for additional launches and maintained a firm posture of readiness while sharing relevant information with the US and Japan," the JCS said in a statement.

This marks North Korea's first missile launch since South Korean President Lee Jae-myung took office in June, as well as the fifth ballistic missile launch so far this year.

The launch also took place ahead of APEC Summit on October 31-1 November in South Korea. President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to attend the summit.

The missile launch comes amid Pyongyang's concern that it may continue to increase its provocations as it seeks to gain US recognition as a nuclear-armed country.

In a large-scale military parade earlier this month, North Korea for the first time showcased the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) which is believed to be capable of reaching any region on the US mainland.