North Korea Fires Missiles Toward Japan in Drills
North Korea launched at least 10 ballistic missiles toward Japan during live-fire exercises that also featured its 600 mm KN-25 rocket launcher.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Military
Live Poll
Do you think the world is becoming less safe for Americans?
North Korea conducted large-scale live-fire exercises on October 29, 2026, launching at least 10 ballistic missiles in the direction of Japan. The exercises also showcased the 600 mm KN-25 multiple rocket launcher.
Why it matters
The launches add to a pattern of North Korean weapons testing in the region, with the KN-25 positioned as a hybrid between a short-range ballistic missile and a traditional rocket launcher. The United States Forces Korea classifies the system as a short-range ballistic missile due to its size and range.
The KN-25 has a range of up to 400 kilometers and a missile body measuring 8.2 meters, while North Korea fired 18 KN-25 missiles in a single 2024 exercise. Its guidance system remains unknown, and the warhead is likely high-explosive fragmentation.
The players
North Korea
North Korea is the country that conducted the live-fire exercises and developed the KN-25 system as part of its missile and artillery programs.
United States Forces Korea
United States Forces Korea is the U.S. military command stationed in South Korea that categorizes the KN-25 as a short-range ballistic missile.
The details
North Korea conducted the live-fire exercises on October 29, 2026, launching at least 10 ballistic missiles toward Japan. The drills also featured the 600 mm KN-25 multiple rocket launcher, which North Korea first publicly unveiled on January 1, 2023.
Timeline
January 1, 2023: North Korea first publicly unveiled the KN-25 system.
2023 to 2025: Frequent mentions of Russian interest in acquiring the KN-25.
2024: North Korea fired 18 KN-25 missiles in a single exercise.
October 29, 2026: North Korea conducted large-scale live-fire exercises launching at least 10 ballistic missiles toward Japan.
Roadmap
The October 29, 2026 launches extend the KN-25 from its January 1, 2023 public unveiling into live-fire use, following the 2024 exercise in which 18 were fired at once. The system's hybrid design blurs the line between short-range ballistic missiles and multiple rocket launchers.
Live-fire missile exercises in the region can raise tensions and prompt heightened military readiness in neighboring countries. Readers following the story can track official statements from regional governments for updates on any response.
The takeaway
The KN-25 launch shows North Korea continuing to test systems that blur categories between rockets and ballistic missiles, which complicates how neighboring militaries classify and respond to threats.
Further reading
For more background on weapons tests like this one, see Military coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Defence-ua.
Live Poll
Do you think the world is becoming less safe for Americans?
