North Korea Fires Multiple Short-Range Ballistic Missiles and Rockets Toward Yellow Sea

North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles and multiple rocket launcher systems from Jongju in North Phyongan Province toward the Yellow Sea on May 25, 2026. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the launches, assessing the projectiles flew approximately 80 km before splashing down in the Yellow Sea. The provocation was North Korea's first weapons firing since the April 20 Hwasong-11 Ra cluster-warhead ballistic missile tests (DPRK's 7th launch of 2026) and came two days after North Korea's Naegohyang Women's FC completed its historic eight-day stay in South Korea after winning the AFC Women's Champions League. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung responded by convening an emergency national security meeting and calling for accelerated military investment including AI and drone capabilities and acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines. Japan's coast guard also tracked the launches. The timing — just days after the unprecedented inter-Korean sporting contact — underscored Pyongyang's consistent pattern of mixing limited engagement with military signaling: the diplomatic channel through the Asian Football Confederation did not reflect a broader thaw in DPRK's posture.