New Delhi/Beijing/Seoul, Jan 4, 2026, 1:50 p.m. IST
North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles into the East Sea as South Korean President Lee Jae-myung arrived in Beijing for talks with Xi Jinping. The launch escalates regional tensions, drawing condemnation from Japan and Seoul, and casts a shadow over summit efforts to stabilize the Korean Peninsula.
Pyongyang unleashed several ballistic missiles into the East Sea early Sunday, escalating regional alarms precisely as South Korean President Lee Jae-myung landed in China for summit meetings aimed at stabilizing the Korean Peninsula.
South Korea’s military tracked the projectiles lifting off from sites near the capital at 7:50 a.m. local time, with flights lasting about 10 minutes before landing harmlessly offshore.
Japan’s monitors confirmed similar trajectories, prompting quick condemnation from Tokyo as a breach of global sanctions. No harm was reported, but the episode marks North Korea’s opening salvo of 2026 amid its renewed testing pace.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and his wife landed in #Beijing this afternoon for a state visit. #SouthKorea #China pic.twitter.com/hiYQjvbwXr
— Shanghai Daily (@shanghaidaily) January 4, 2026
Pyongyang’s Message to Beijing Diplomats
President Lee’s itinerary includes a key sit-down with Xi Jinping on Monday, their second in recent months plus economic forums on tech and trade, backed by a business entourage. Seoul hopes to tap China’s sway over North Korea to revive stalled peace channels and curb weapons advances.
Yet the pre-dawn volley seems designed to grab attention, analysts note, reminding all sides of Pyongyang’s leverage during sensitive outreach. South Korea’s National Security Council labeled it a “blatant violation,” vowing close coordination with allies.
Kim’s Factory Push Signals Bigger Plans
The test aligns with Kim Jong Un’s weekend tour of a key arms plant, where he demanded a 2.5-fold ramp-up in tactical guided munitions output. State outlets framed the site visit as vital for defence readiness, tying into broader upgrades eyed for frontline units this year.
Such steps build momentum toward the Workers’ Party’s Ninth Congress, slated for January or February the first since 2021 to unveil a fresh five-year blueprint heavy on military priorities. Expect emphasis on missile scaling and deterrence amid U.S.-led pressures.
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What Lies Ahead for Peninsula Tensions
This flare-up tests China’s balancing act between economic links to the South and historic bonds with the North. U.S. forces reiterated defensive pledges to Seoul and Tokyo, while UN watchers brace for gridlock on enforcement. For Lee’s trip, the launch risks sidelining cooperation gains, forcing impromptu crisis talks.
Pyongyang’s playbook blending tests with diplomacy keeps foes guessing, as 2026 congress goals loom large. Regional watchers urge unified pressure to avert escalation.
