North Korea Tests Nuclear-Capable Rocket Launchers As US–South Korea Drills Begin

Last Updated:March 15, 2026, 09:36 IST

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the testing of the multiple rocket launcher system (MRLS) on Saturday, according to the Korean Central News Agency.

North Korea conducted a test of nuclear-capable rocket launchers, state media reported on Sunday, a day after Seoul detected the launch of around 10 ballistic missiles.

The development comes after South Korean and US forces began their annual spring military drills, which are scheduled to continue until March 19.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the testing of the multiple rocket launcher system (MRLS) on Saturday, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

KCNA said the test included 12 ultra-precision multiple rocket launchers of 600mm calibre and two artillery companies.

According to KCNA, Kim said the drill gave Pyongyang’s enemies within the 420 kilometres (around 260 miles) striking range a sense of “uneasiness" and “a deep understanding of the destructive power of tactical nuclear weapon".

KCNA reported on Sunday that the rockets struck an island target in the East Sea of Korea located more than 360 km away.

Kim described the MRLS as a “very deadly yet attractive weapon".

Photographs released by state media showed several rockets being launched from large vehicles into the air.

Another image showed Kim observing the launch from a distance alongside his daughter Ju Ae, with a military official standing nearby.

Ju Ae has long been viewed as a potential successor to lead the country, a perception strengthened by several recent high-profile appearances.

North Korea Fires Missile Toward Sea Of Japan

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected multiple launches from the North into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, on Saturday.

Seoul’s presidential Blue House condemned the launches as a “provocation that violates United Nations Security Council resolutions" and called on Pyongyang to immediately halt such actions.

The launches took place hours after South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said US President Donald Trump believes a meeting with North Korean leader Kim would be “good".

In recent months, the Trump administration has sought to restart high-level talks with Pyongyang and is considering the possibility of a summit with Kim later this year, potentially during Trump’s planned visit to Beijing in late March.

After mostly ignoring these overtures, Kim recently said the two countries could “get along" if Washington recognised Pyongyang’s nuclear status.

Japan Activates Crisis Team

In a post on X, the Prime Minister’s Office of Japan alerted the public about the developing situation, stating: “[Emergency alert] North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile. More updates to follow."

After the alert, the administration of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the country’s first female premier who secured a historic landslide victory in the February 2026 general elections, immediately activated emergency protocols to monitor the trajectory of the projectile.

Throughout her tenure, Takaichi has maintained a firm stance on regional security and the protection of Japanese territory.

Japan’s public broadcaster NHK reported on Saturday that the latest weapons test by North Korea has further heightened security concerns in the region.

News world North Korea Tests Nuclear-Capable Rocket Launchers As US–South Korea Drills Begin

Read More