North Korea defies US with first missile launch of 2026

North Korea fired at least two ballistic missiles toward the East Sea (Sea of Japan) early Sunday, marking its first weapons test of the year. 

The launch follows the dramatic capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces—an event analysts believe has deeply unsettled the regime in Pyongyang.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff detected the missiles launched from the Pyongyang region at approximately 07:50 local time. The projectiles traveled nearly 900 kilometres, reaching an altitude of roughly 50 kilometres, before crashing into the sea.

Regional Defiance and the “Venezuela Factor”

Experts suggest the timing of the launch is a calculated message to the Donald Trump administration. Pyongyang has long feared that the US might attempt a similar “regime change” operation against Kim Jong Un.

Strategic Signal: Analyst Hong Min noted the test likely reflects “the intense pressure Pyongyang feels due to the situation in Venezuela,” signalling that an attack on North Korea would not be as “easy” as the Caracas operation.

The Message: “The underlying message is likely that North Korea is a nuclear-armed state that will not go down without a fight,” experts told reporters.

Key Official Reactions

The test has drawn sharp condemnation from regional neighbours, who have convened emergency security meetings.

🇰🇷🇰🇵 BREAKING | South Korea’s presidential office has convened an emergency security meeting following missile launches by North Korea, Reuters reports. pic.twitter.com/Ss94tTLMtc

— Strategic Eye (@sarah00043) January 4, 2026

Japan: Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi called the act “absolutely intolerable,” stating that North Korea’s nuclear and missile development threatens both regional and international peace.

South Korea: The Presidential Office in Seoul convened an emergency National Security Council meeting, urging the North to cease provocations that violate UN Security Council resolutions.

United States: The INDOPACOM command stated that while the test poses no immediate threat to US territory or personnel, they are monitoring the situation in close coordination with allies.

Diplomatic Context

The missiles were fired just hours before South Korean President Lee Jae Myung was scheduled to depart for China. President Lee intends to meet with Xi Jinping in Beijing to discuss regional stability and harness China’s influence to de-escalate tensions with the North.

Kim Jong Un’s Military Push

This test comes amid a flurry of military activity by Kim Jong Un. In recent weeks, the North Korean leader has:

Ordered a 2.5-fold increase in the production of tactical guided weapons.

Inspected the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine.

Called for a major modernization of the country’s munitions factories ahead of the upcoming Workers’ Party Congress.