NewNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
North Korea is beefing up its force ahead of a major political meeting and firing short-range ballistic missiles toward its waters.
South Korea’s military detected the launch of multiple ballistic missiles from an area northeast of North Korea’s Pyongyang, the Associated Press reported, and said each missile flew about 217 miles.
Meanwhile, according to AP, the Japanese Defense Ministry said two ballistic missiles were launched from North Korea and fell off the coast of the Korean Peninsula.
The AP noted that the launches represent the first time North Korea has fired a weapon since it tested hypersonic missiles in early January. In December, the country tested long-range strategic cruise missiles and new anti-air missiles and released photos of the apparent construction of a nuclear-powered submarine, which would be the first of its kind for Pyongyang, the AP reported.
North Korea tests hypersonic missile system in front of Kim, nation says
A TV screen shows a file image of a North Korean missile launch during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
The missile launch comes as the ruling party prepares to hold its first plenary congress in five years, according to AP citing state media. So far, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has met with other top officials to prepare for the meeting. The top-level meeting will reportedly be used to set new political and economic priorities as the US and South Korea seek fresh talks with North Korea.
In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers a speech during a ceremony marking the completion of the first phase modernization project at the Ryongsong Machine Complex in North Korea, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)
North Korea releases photos of nuclear-powered submarine development
The North Korean government-controlled Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported in December that Kim chaired a plenum of the Workers’ Party Central Committee, at which participants discussed issues related to this year’s party congress and state policies, the AP reported. The outlet reported that Kim revived the Congress in 2016 after a gap of 36 years.
President Donald Trump, left, meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on June 30, 2019, in the village of Panmunjom in the demilitarized zone on the North Korean side of the border. (Susan Walsh/AP)
Click here to download Fox News App
Additionally, North Korea recently accused South Korea of conducting cross-border surveillance drone flights. Seoul has denied operating the drones during the time specified by Pyongyang and said it has begun investigating the possibility that civilians sent them.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
