North Korea Launches 7th Short-Range Ballistic Missile of 2026: What This Means for Regional Security

Ji Seong-rim. | 2026.04.20

[Anchor] Early today, North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles from the Sinpo area of South Hamgyong Province into the East Sea (Sea of Japan). The missiles traveled about 140 km. It was Pyongyang’s seventh ballistic-missile launch this year and came 11 days after the launches on the 8th. Ji Seong-rim reports. [Reporter] South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said they detected multiple short-range ballistic missiles launched from the Sinpo area into the East Sea at about 6:10 a.m. The Joint Chiefs assessed the missiles flew roughly 140 km and said South Korea, the U.S. and Japan closely shared information on the launches. The latest launch followed the twin launches on the 8th, when North Korea fired ballistic missiles into the East Sea in both the morning and afternoon. Pyongyang described the 8th’s launches as test firings of short-range ballistic missiles fitted with cluster warheads. On the 7th, it fired a projectile believed to be a ballistic missile that showed abnormal signs early in flight and was reported lost. North Korea also launched ballistic missiles on Jan. 4, Jan. 27 and March 14. Today’s launch was the seventh such provocation this year. With Iran’s military resuming control of the Strait of Hormuz yesterday and tensions in the Middle East rising, some analysts say the North staged the launch to draw attention. Others argue the timing was meant to raise Pyongyang’s profile ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s scheduled trip to China in mid-May. Still, several experts view the launch as part of a planned weapons-development test schedule. This is Ji Seong-rim for Yonhap News TV. [Video editing: Kim Kyung-mi] For tips and inquiries to Yonhap News TV: KakaoTalk/LINE jebo23. Ji Seong-rim (yoonik@yna.co.kr)