North Korea fired several ballistic missiles into the sea on Sunday in its latest weapons test this year, according to a South Korean statement.South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were launched in the morning from the Sinpo area on the east coast, adding that Seoul has stepped up surveillance and is coordinating closely with the US and Japan.The South Korean presidential office said its National Security Council would hold an emergency meeting to assess the situation.Japan’s Defense Ministry also tracked the launches, saying the missiles probably fell off North Korea’s east coast. It lodged a protest with Pyongyang, saying the launches were a “threat to regional and international peace” and violate UN Security Council resolutions banning ballistic activity.Meanwhile, the US Indo-Pacific Command also issued a statement saying that they pose no immediate threat to the US or its allies. “The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles on April 19, 2026. We are aware of the missile launches and are consulting closely with our allies and partners. Based on current assessments, this incident does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or the region or our allies. The United States is committed to defending the U.S. homeland and our allies in the region.”Last week, North Korean state media said the leader kim jong un Observed missile tests from a destroyer. Kim later said the country would “unlimitedly expand” its nuclear forces and set new tasks to strengthen nuclear strike and quick response capabilities.Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said last week that the agency had observed a “rapid increase” in activity at North Korea’s nuclear sites.