North Korea Launches Multiple Ballistic Missiles From Jongju, First Test Since April 19
Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · May 26
North Korea Launches Multiple Ballistic Missiles From Jongju, First Test Since April 19
18 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · May 26
South Korea's military said North Korea fired multiple close-range ballistic missiles toward the sea from Jongju on Tuesday, marking Pyongyang's first weapons launch event since April 19.
Jongju lies on North Korea's west coast, and Seoul said it had strengthened surveillance while sharing information closely with the United States and Japan.
The launch extends a 2026 run of weapons demonstrations that included April 19 short-range missile tests North Korean state media said showcased cluster-bomb warheads.
Kim Jong Un has accelerated nuclear and missile development since talks with Donald Trump collapsed in 2019, while Pyongyang has ignored Trump's renewed outreach and demanded Washington drop denuclearization preconditions.
The test came hours after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for stronger military capabilities, highlighting AI, drones and a possible nuclear-powered submarine even as he favors better inter-Korean ties.
With both Koreas rapidly advancing their arsenals, is the peninsula spiraling into an unstoppable new arms race?
Will South Korea’s military buildup make it a stronger US ally, or a more independent regional power?
As North Korea solidifies its nuclear status, is the long-standing goal of denuclearization now completely obsolete?
North Korea’s 2026 Missile Surge and Strategic Shift: How Russian Support and AI-Driven Arms Race Are Redefining the Korean Peninsula
Overview
On May 26, 2026, North Korea launched close-range ballistic missiles from Chongju into the Yellow Sea, following a similar test with a cluster warhead in April. These provocations have escalated regional tensions and prompted South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to call for stronger military capabilities. He directed officials to speed up the development of advanced weapons, including nuclear-powered submarines, and to expand the use of artificial intelligence and drone technologies. This response reflects South Korea’s urgent need to counter North Korea’s rapidly advancing missile and military capabilities, which have been significantly enhanced in recent years.