North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles toward the sea on Sunday, just hours before South Korean President Lee Jae Myung departed for China for talks expected to focus on Pyongyang’s nuclear program. According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, the missiles were fired from the vicinity of North Korea’s capital around 7:50 a.m. and flew roughly 900 kilometers (560 miles). Authorities in South Korea and the U.S. are currently analyzing the details of the launches. The Joint Chiefs emphasized that Seoul is prepared to respond to any provocations and is closely coordinating with the U.S. and Japan.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi confirmed at least two missile launches, describing them as a serious threat to regional and global peace. Experts note that these latest launches are part of a broader display of military capabilities ahead of North Korea’s upcoming Workers’ Party congress, the first in five years. Analysts believe Pyongyang is using the congress to potentially announce new policies toward the U.S. and showcase progress in its defense programs.

Since the collapse of Kim Jong Un’s summit with former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2019, North Korea has focused on expanding its nuclear arsenal. Kim has also strengthened ties with Russia over the Ukraine conflict and maintained close relations with China. Although the exact date of the party congress is unannounced, South Korean intelligence predicts it will take place in January or February.

Sunday’s missile launches coincided with President Lee’s trip to China, where he aims to urge Beijing, North Korea’s main ally, to take a constructive role in promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula. South Korea and the U.S. have long sought Chinese influence over Pyongyang, though Beijing’s leverage remains uncertain. Seoul convened an emergency security meeting following the launches, warning that North Korea’s missile tests violate U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Meanwhile, North Korea has not commented on the recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela that ousted President Nicolás Maduro. Kim Jong Un was reported to have visited a weapons factory on Saturday, ordering a 2.5-fold increase in production of precision-guided arms, underscoring his continued focus on military development.