North Korea Launches First Missiles of 2026, Slams U.S. ‘Kidnapping’ of Maduro

North Korea launched at least two ballistic missiles on Sunday, marking its first weapons test of the year. The provocative move came as South Korean President Lee Jae Myung began a high-stakes state visit to China and just hours after the U.S. military captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

The missiles, launched from the Pyongyang region around 7:50 a.m. local time, traveled approximately 560 miles before landing in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.

Following the tests, Pyongyang issued a blistering condemnation of the U.S. operation in Venezuela. A spokesperson for North Korea's Foreign Ministry called the capture of Maduro a "wanton violation of sovereignty" that reveals the "rogue and brutal nature" of the United States.

A Warning to Washington: Analysts believe Kim Jong Un is signaling that North Korea, as a nuclear power, would offer a far more "aggressive deterrence" than Venezuela against any similar U.S. intervention.

Pressure on Beijing: The timing—just as the South Korean president arrived in Beijing to meet Xi Jinping—is seen as a message to China to prioritize its alliance with the North over improved relations with Seoul. The launches triggered immediate condemnation from Seoul and Tokyo. South Korea: The presidential office held an emergency security meeting, urging the North to cease "provocative acts" that violate U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi called the tests "absolutely intolerable," noting that the missiles flew on "irregular trajectories" designed to evade regional missile defenses.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command stated the launches did not pose an "immediate threat" to U.S. personnel or territory but emphasized that Washington remains in close consultation with its regional allies.

The tests follow a Saturday report from North Korean state media showing Kim Jong Un visiting a munitions factory. During the visit, Kim reportedly ordered a 2.5-fold increase in the production of "tactical guided weapons."

The escalation comes as North Korea prepares for its Ninth Party Congress later this year, where the regime is expected to unveil new major military and policy goals.