North Korea fires unidentified projectile into East Sea ahead of APEC summit

Missiles and other weapons are displayed at an exhibition in Pyongyang on Oct. 4, 2025, in this photo released by the state-run [North] Korean Central News Agency the following day. 

SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - North Korea fired an unidentified projectile, suspected to be a ballistic missile, toward the East Sea on Wednesday, according to military authorities here.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launch at around 8:20 a.m. but provided no further details.

Wednesday's launch, the North's first missile provocation since President Lee Jae Myung took office in June, came about five months after the reclusive country fired a couple of short-range ballistic and cruise missiles toward the East Sea in May.

The launch also comes ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled to be held in Gyeongju next week.