▲ A hypersonic missile flies through the air during a test launch by a subunit under a major firing strike group of the Korean People's Army in Pyongyang on Jan. 4, 2026, which North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw, in this file photo released by the North's official Korean Central News Agency the next day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

(2nd LD) N Korea-provocation

(2nd LD) N. Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles toward East Sea

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; ADDS details, USFK statement)

By Lee Minji and Kim Hyun-soo

SEOUL, Jan. 27 (Yonhap) -- North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Tuesday, South Korea's military said, in Pyongyang's apparent military muscle-flexing ahead of its upcoming key party congress.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the missiles launched from an area north of Pyongyang at around 3:50 p.m.

The missiles flew about 350 kilometers, the JCS said, adding the South Korean and U.S. authorities were analyzing the exact details of the launch.

"Our military maintains a firm readiness posture while closely sharing North Korean ballistic missile information with the U.S. and Japan sides amid a heightened surveillance posture against additional launches," the JCS said.

North Korea is widely expected to hold the ruling party's first congress in five years early next month where the North will unveil its major policy lines on defense, diplomacy and the economy.

The latest launch came as U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby wrapped up his three-day visit to South Korea earlier in the day to leave for Japan, the second leg of his Asia trip.

Colby met with key South Korean security officials, including the national security adviser and the defense and foreign ministers, to discuss alliance issues ranging from Seoul's bid to build nuclear-powered submarines and regain wartime operational control from Washington.

Colby's trip came after the Pentagon released a new U.S. defense strategy last week that called for Seoul to take a "primary" role in its defense and assessed North Korea as posing a "direct military threat" to South Korea and Japan. It also said North Korean nuclear forces present a "clear and present" danger of a nuclear attack on the American homeland.

In a statement following the launch, the U.S. Forces Korea said it is "consulting closely" with allies and partners.

"Based on current assessments, this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies. The United States remains committed to the defense of the U.S. homeland and our allies in the region," it said.

The North last fired ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Jan. 4, as President Lee Jae Myung was set to leave for Beijing for summit talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The North later said it tested hypersonic missiles with leader Kim Jong-un in attendance.

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