North Korea Fires Multiple Missiles Ahead of Key APEC Summit in South Korea

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN DE MODE

Article Published on: 22ND OCT 2025 | www.demodemagazine.com

North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles early Wednesday, South Korea’s military reported, marking Pyongyang’s first missile launch since May. The missiles, detected from near Pyongyang and traveling about 350 km, appeared to have fallen inland.

The launch comes a week before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, where President Lee Jae Myung will meet U.S. President Donald Trump, who is also expected to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. South Korea convened an emergency security meeting, sharing launch data with the U.S. and Japan. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed the missiles posed no threat to Japan’s security. The launch underscores North Korea’s ongoing defiance of international sanctions and its continued development of advanced missile capabilities. Earlier this month, Pyongyang showcased its latest intercontinental ballistic missile during a military parade attended by China’s premier, highlighting its growing military ambitions.