Fact Check: Did North Korea launch 10 ballistic missiles into Sea of Japan on October 29, 2026?

WASHINGTON, DC: A claim about North Korea's latest missile activity is spreading online amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

An X post claims that North Korea launched about 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan on October 29, 2026. The post has drawn attention to the country's growing missile activity.

But did North Korea really launch the missiles as claimed? Let's take a closer look.

Claim: North Korea launched about 10-short range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area

The rumor began after an X user claimed that North Korea had launched about 10 short-range ballistic missiles.

The user shared a post saying, “BREAKING: NORTH KOREA FIRES MISSILES TOWARD JAPAN! 🇰🇵🇯🇵 Hey @grok, can you confirm this?”

It also highlights North Korea's continued efforts to develop its missile capabilities, including systems that could carry nuclear weapons. The launch could further increase tensions in the region and make diplomatic talks more difficult.

This marked North Korea's 17th ballistic missile launch of 2026 and its third launch this month.

Reports suggest the missiles may have included KN-25 systems, which are large-caliber multiple rocket launchers.

The launch followed a series of tensions along the border between the two Koreas.

Fact Check: The claim is true

The claim in the X post by @KushPatil_, which said “NORTH KOREA FIRES MISSILES TOWARD JAPAN,” is real.

The details in the post and a later reply from Grok match official reports from South Korea and Japan, as well as reports from several news outlets.

On October 29, 2026, at around 12:30 pm local time (03:30 GMT), North Korea launched about 10 short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area on its east coast.

The missiles traveled about 250 kilometers (155 miles) before landing in the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea.

Japan's Defense Ministry said the missiles did not enter Japanese territory or its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Authorities reported no damage to aircraft, ships, or other property.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff and Japan's Ministry of Defense confirmed the launch. South Korea and the United States also conducted further analysis and shared information with Japan.

South Korea's presidential National Security Office held an emergency meeting to discuss the launch.

The launch marked North Korea's third ballistic missile test in October 2026 and its 17th of the year, according to counts cited by Yonhap News Agency.

It came amid rising tensions between the two Koreas following a September 21 landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which injured three South Korean soldiers.

It also happened shortly before a deadline North Korea had set for the end of October to resume propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts along the border.