 "'We're aware': US military says North Korea's latest missile test not an 'immediate' threat")
The US Indo-Pacific Command on Sunday confirmed that it is aware of North Korea’s recent missile launches and maintained that the move does not pose an ‘immediate threat’ to the region. The American authorities noted that they are in close consultation with allies and partners as the tensions in the Indo-Pacific region escalate.
In a statement posted on X, the US Indo-Pacific Command said, “We are aware of the missile launches and are consulting closely with our allies and partners. Based on current assessments, this event does not pose an immediate threat to US personnel or territory, or to our allies. The United States remains committed to the defence of the US homeland and our allies in the region.”
We are aware of the missile launches and are consulting closely with our allies and partners. Based on current assessments, this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies. The United States remains committed to the defense of the… pic.twitter.com/AC9Kjb0YBk
— U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (@INDOPACOM) January 4, 2026
It is pertient to note that the statement came just hours after North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles towards the East Sea earlier on Sunday. The news was confirmed by the South Korean military, which maintained that this was Pyongyang’s first weapons test of the year, Yonhap reported.
South Korea raises an alarm
According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the missiles were launched from areas near Pyongyang at around 7:50 am local time. The launches were detected as regional security remained on alert.
“Our military maintains a firm readiness posture while closely sharing North Korean ballistic missile information with the U.S. and Japan sides amid a heightened surveillance posture against additional launches,” the JCS said in a statement on Sunday morning.
Quick Reads
View AllThe missile launch from North Korea came at a sensitive time as South Korean President Lee Jae Myung prepares to leave for Beijing for summit-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The timing also coincided with heightened global tensions following US President Donald Trump’s announcement that Washington had captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro during a large-scale military operation in the Latin American nation’s capital.
It is important to note that North Korea’s last missile test took place on November 7, when it fired a short-range ballistic missile towards the East Sea. That launch was the sixth ballistic missile test conducted by Pyongyang last year.
With inputs from agencies.
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