# List of North Korean missile tests

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North Korea has tested numerous missiles since 1984. North Korea has tested short-range ballistic missile (SRBMs), intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBMs), intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), maneuverable reentry vehicles (MaRV) ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles. Some North Korean missile tests have failed (i.e., with an explosion in flight), while others have been successful. North Korea claimed to have tested a hypersonic weapon for the first time in 2021 and several times thereafter, although it is unclear whether it actually did so.
North Korea has fired a number of SRBMs into the Sea of Japan, in what have been interpreted as political gestures.
North Korea established its Tonghae Satellite Launching Ground in 1984 and began tests of strategic missiles. Fifteen were carried out under the rule of Kim Il Sung; fourteen of these were carried out at Tonghae. After his death in 1994, he was succeeded by his son Kim Jong Il, who paused testing for four years before resuming in 1998 with a test of the Taepodong-1 missile. Following an international backlash, Kim Jong Il paused testing again before lifting the moratorium in 2006. Ultimately, 16 missile tests were undertaken under Kim Jong Il, mostly at the Kittaeryong site near Wonsan. Since Kim Jong Un took power in 2011, North Korea steeply increased the number of missile tests, tallying 129 as of April 2023. Under Kim Jong Un, North Korea conducted tests at many sites around the country, and many appeared to be operational/training tests in preparation for war, rather than developmental tests. The Tonghae site became dormant in 2009; space launches were shifted to the Sohae Satellite Launching Station and developmental missile testing shifted to the Wonsan site. Older missiles in North Korea's arsenal include various Scud and Nodong missiles, while newer missiles in development include the Polaris 1 and Polaris 2, Musudan, and Unha 3.

## Timeline

| Date | Information |
| 1976–81 | North Korea commences its missile development program using Scud-B from the Soviet Union and a launchpad from Egypt. |
| April 9, 1984 | First Scud-B missile test firing. |
| 1988 | Operational deployment of Scud-B and Scud-C missiles. |
| May 1990 | First Nodong missile test. |
| May 29, 1993 | 1993 North Korean missile test – (May 29/30, 1993) – Nodong |
| August 31, 1998 | North Korea fires off its first ballistic missile, the Unha-1 rocket, also known as the Taepodong-1 missile, from the launch site of Musudan-ri in North Hamgyong Province. |
| September 24, 1999 | North Korea agrees to a moratorium on long-range missile tests. |
| 2002 | North Korea pledges to extend moratorium on missile tests beyond 2003. |
| 2004 | North Korea reaffirms moratorium. |
| 2005 | North Korea fires short-range missile into Sea of Japan. |
| March 8, 2006 | North Korea has test fired two short-range missiles into Sea of Japan. |
| July 5, 2006 | 2006 North Korean missile test – Taepodong-2 failed |
| May 25, 2007 | North Korea Fires Short-Range Missiles. |
| June 7, 2007 | North Korea fires missiles off coast |
| March 28, 2008 | North Korea fires three ship-to-ship missiles |
| May 30, 2008 | North Korea fires three short-range missiles into west coast |
| April 5, 2009 | Failed orbit of the Kwangmyongsong-2 satellite aboard an Unha-2 carrier rocket |
| July 2, 2009 | 2009 North Korean missile test |
| October 12, 2009 | North Korea fires five short-range missiles |
| April 13, 2012 | Failed launch of the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 satellite aboard an Unha-3 carrier rocket |
| December 12, 2012 | Successful launch of the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2 satellite aboard a three-stage rocket |
| March 15, 2013 | North Korea fires short-range missiles |
| May 18, 2013 | 2013 North Korean missile tests (part of 2013 Korean crisis) |
| February 27, 2014 | North Korea fires four short-range missiles |
| March 3, 2014 | North Korea fires two short-range missiles |
| March 4, 2014 | North Korea fires three volley of rockets into Sea of Japan |
| March 16, 2014 | North Korea fires ten short-range missiles into Sea of Japan |
| March 2014 | 2014 North Korean missile tests including Nodong, success |
| May 9, 2015 | North Korea claims to launch a missile from a submarine |
| February 7, 2016 | Successful launch of the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4 satellite |
| April 9, 2016 | Test of engine designed for an intercontinental ballistic missile |
| August 24, 2016 | North Korea claims to launch a Pukkuksong-1 missile capable of striking the United States. The missile is a Submarine-launched ballistic missile. |
| October 15, 2016 | Failed North Korean ballistic missile launch – |
| October 19, 2016 | Failed launch of an intermediate-range missile |
| February 11, 2017 | North Korea test-fired a Pukkuksong-2 missile over the Sea of Japan. This was the first launch of the new medium-range ballistic missile. |
| March 6, 2017 | North Korea launches four ballistic missiles from the Tongchang-ri launch site in the northwest. Some flew 620 mi (1,000 km) before falling into the Sea of Japan. |
| April 4, 2017 | North Korea test-fired a medium-range ballistic missile from its eastern port of Sinpo into the Sea of Japan |
| April 15, 2017 | North Korea test-fired an unidentified land-based missile from the naval base in Sinpo but it exploded almost immediately after the takeoff. |
| April 28, 2017 | North Korea test-fired an unidentified missile from Pukchang airfield. The missile, believed to be a medium-range KN-17 ballistic missile, faltered and broke apart minutes after liftoff. |
| May 13, 2017 | North Korea test-fired a Hwasong-12 missile from a test site in the area of Kusong. The missile, later revealed to be an intermediate range ballistic missile, traveled 30 minutes, reached an altitude of more than 2,111.5 km, and flew a horizontal distance of 789 km (490 mi), before falling into the Sea of Japan. Such a missile would have a range of at least 4,000, reaching Guam, to 6,000 km. |
| May 21, 2017 | North Korea test-fired another Pukkuksong-2 medium-range ballistic missile from Pukchang airfield, which traveled approximately 500 km (310 mi) before falling into the Sea of Japan. The missile landed about 350 km (220 mi) from North Korea's east coast. |
| May 29, 2017 | North Korea fired a short range ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan. It traveled 450 km. |
| June 8, 2017 | North Korea fired several missiles into the Sea of Japan. They are believed to be anti-ship missiles. The South Korean military said the launches show the reclusive regime's "precise targeting capability." |
| June 23, 2017 | North Korea tested a new rocket engine that could possibly be fitted to an intercontinental ballistic missile. This engine was later believed to be for the second stage of the Hwasong-15, first flown later in 2017. |
| July 4, 2017 | North Korea tested its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) named Hwasong-14 on July 4. It launched from the Panghyon Aircraft Factory 8 km southeast of Panghyon Airport. It was aimed straight up at a lofted trajectory and reached more than 2,500 km into space. It landed 37 minutes later, more than 930 km from its launch site, into Japan's exclusive economic zone. Aiming long, the missile would have traveled 7,000–8,000 km or more, reaching Alaska, Hawaii, and possibly Seattle. Its operational range would be farther, bringing a 500 kg payload to targets in most of the contiguous United States 9,700 km away. |
| July 28, 2017 | The 14th missile test carried out by North Korea in 2017 was another ICBM launched at 23:41 North Korea time (15:41 GMT) from Chagang Province in the north of the country on July 28, 2017. Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, Boston, and New York City appear to be within range. The missile's reentry vehicle (RV) was seen by people in Japan as it entered the atmosphere and landed near the northernmost Japanese island, Hokkaido. Analysis later revealed that the RV broke up on re-entry; further testing would be required. The CIA made an assessment expecting adequate performance of the RV under the different stresses of a shallower trajectory towards the continental US. |
| August 26, 2017 | North Korea test-fired three short-range ballistic missiles from the Kangwon Province on August 26. Two travel approximately 250 kilometers in a northeastern direction and one explodes immediately after launch. |
| August 29, 2017 | On August 29, 2017, at 6 AM local time, North Korea launched a ballistic missile over Northern Japan. The missile's short and low trajectory and its breakup into three pieces is consistent with the failure of a heavy post-boost vehicle. |
| September 15, 2017 | North Korea launched a ballistic missile on September 15 from Sunan airfield. It reached a height of 770 km and flew a distance of 3,700 km for 17 minutes over Hokkaido before landing in the Pacific. |
| November 28, 2017 | North Korea launched an ICBM from the vicinity of Pyongsong at 1:30pm EST/3:00am Pyongyang time. The rocket traveled for 50 minutes and reached 2,800 miles (4,500 km) in height, both of which were new milestones. The missile flew 600 miles (970 km) east into the Sea of Japan; unlike summer launches, the Japanese government did not issue cellphone alerts to warn its citizens. North Korea called it a Hwasong-15 missile. Its potential range appears to be more than 8,000 miles (13,000 km), able to reach Washington and the rest of the continental United States and Australia. Much about the missile is unknown. The missile might have been fitted with a mock warhead to increase its range, in which case the maximum missile range while carrying a heavy warhead might be shorter than 13,000 km. Based on satellite imagery, some experts believe that North Korea may now be able to fuel missiles horizontally, shortening the delay between when a missile becomes visible to when it can be launched. The rocket is believed to have broken up on re-entry into the atmosphere. |
| May 4, 2019 | North Korea launched several short-range projectiles from the vicinity of Wonsan on the country's east coast, initial speculation as possibly a Russian Iskander missile which can make course corrections during its flight. Later designated as KN-23 and in 2023, the official name was revealed as Hwasong-11A. |
| May 9, 2019 | North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles from the vicinity of Sinori in North Pyongan Province (launch area also, in another source, identified as Kusong) at 4:29 p.m. and 4:49 p.m. local time. |
| July 25, 2019 | North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles, believed to be of a new design. Demonstrated maximum range is 690 km. |
| July 31, 2019 | North Korea launched "several" short-range ballistic missiles. |
| August 2, 2019 | North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles at 2:59 a.m. and 3:23 a.m. local time. |
| August 24, 2019 | North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles from Sondok in South Hamgyong Province. Both fell in the Sea of Japan. |
| September 10, 2019 | North Korea launched two short-range projectiles from Kaechon shortly after proposing to resume denuclearization negotiations with the US. Both the projectiles fell into the sea off the North's east coast. |
| October 2, 2019 | North Korea test-fired a new-type submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) in the waters off Wonsan. The Republic of Korea Armed Forces said the missile, which was dubbed Pukguksong-3, flew about 450 kilometers and reached a maximum altitude of 910 kilometers, making it an intermediate-range ballistic missile. It fell into the exclusive economic zone of Japan off Shimane Prefecture. North Korea said the launch was successful. |
| October 31, 2019 | North Korea test-fired two short-range projectiles from Sunchon at 4:35 p.m. and 4:38 p.m. Both flew around 370 km and reached a maximum altitude of 90 km before falling in the Sea of Japan. |
| November 28, 2019 | North Korea test-launched two "short-range projectiles". Rocket exhaust was visible from Russia. |
| March 2, 2020 | North Korea carried out test-launch of two unidentified projectiles from eastwards over the sea from the Wonsan area on the east coast. Projectiles are equipped with an operational range of 240 kilometres, and capable to flew a height of 35 kilometres. |
| March 25, 2021 | Further information: 2021–2023 North Korean missile testsNorth Korea carried out test-launch of two upgraded Hwasong-11A (KN-23) short-range ballistic missiles carrying a 2.5 live warhead each that correctly hit the simulated targets. While North Korea official statement reported a 600 km range, Japanese and South Korean sources reported that the missiles flew just over 400 km. Later, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff revised their range assessment of new North Korean missile to 600 km and the Defense Minister said that blind spots due to earth curvature led to initial estimate of 450 km. Later, the missiles was identified as Hwasong-11C. |
| September 11, 2021 | North Korea carried out tests of a new long-range cruise missile on 11 and 12 September 2021, according to the KCNA. The missiles flew for 1,500 kilometres and successfully hit their target in North Korea's waters, and were meant for a "strategic role" according to the news agency, which analyst Ankit Panda stated was a common euphemism for a missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads. |
| September 15, 2021 | North Korea fired two unidentified ballistic missiles towards the Sea of Japan. Japan's Ministry of Defense stated that they had landed in the country's exclusive economic zone. The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that the missiles flew for 800 kilometres, while reaching an altitude of 60 kilometres, and were fired from Yangdok County. KCNA later stated that they were part of a railway-borne missile system. |
| September 28, 2021 | A short-range missile was fired by North Korea towards the Sea of Japan from Chagang Province, according to South Korean officials. The Japanese government meanwhile suspected it to be a ballistic missile. Rodong Sinmun stated that North Korea had tested a new hypersonic missile called Hwasong-8 and it was launched from Toyang-ri in Ryongrim County. The test, including that of its gliding warhead, was a success according to the state media, which also called it a weapon of "great strategic significance". |
| September 30, 2021 | KCNA stated that North Korea had successfully tested a new anti-aircraft missile. It added that the missile contained the new technologies of twin-rudder control and double-impulse flight engine. |
| October 19, 2021 | South Korea JCS announced that a ballistic missile was fired from Sinpo at 10:17am; JoongAng Ilbo claims that the missile fired was a SLBM. Rodong Sinmun reported on the launch on 20 October, revealing that it was a new SLBM launched from a Sinpo-class submarine named 'Hero 8.24'. The new missile features advanced guidance technologies, and can conduct 'pull-up' manoeuvres. |
| January 5, 2022 | North Korea test-fired a hypersonic missile, in the first major weapons test by the nation in 2022 and claimed the same as "The successive successes" in the test launches. |
| January 10, 2022 | North Korea test fired the second ballistic missile of the year, likely a Hwasong-8 missile. It is claimed that it had a detached hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). The missile hit its target in Sea of Japan. The missile reached speeds of Mach 10 as per South Korea's Joint Chiefs (JCS), however the JCS have so far refused to confirm that the missile is an actual hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). The missile reached a range of 700 km or 434.96 miles and an apogee of 60 km or 37.3 miles. NORAD and the FAA also reacted to this launch by grounding West coast airplanes up to Portland for 5 to 7 minutes, the FAA gave no official reason for these delays, likely so NORAD could try to intercept the missile if it went towards the US. This US military reaction seems to indicate that North Korea does indeed possess rudimentary hypersonic vehicle capabilities. |
| January 15, 2022 | North Korea test-fired two Hwasong-11A (KN-23) short range missiles from two separate trains in a short notice mission. The drill was meant to test the response time and alert posture of the country's new railway-borne missile regiment. This was the second reported railway-based missile test since its first launch in September 15 of 2021. The missiles hit its target in the Sea of Japan. The missile reached a range of 430 km (270 mi) and an apogee of 36 km (22 mi) and a top speed of Mach 6 (7,350kmph). Due to the successful nature of the tests it was claimed by North Korea's State media that the railway-borne missile capabilities will be expanded across the country. |
| January 25, 2022 | North Korea test-launched two long-range cruise missiles to the dummy target, 1,800 km (1,100 mi) away at an average speed of Mach 1.47 (720 km/h (450 mph). |
| January 30, 2022 | North Korea launched an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) Hwasong-12 missile. The missile was fired at a lower apogee thereby limiting its true range, the missile reached a height of 2,000 km (1,200 mi) and reached a range of 800 kilometers (500 miles) where it fell into the exclusive economic zone of the Korean peninsula in the Sea of Japan. The launch was the seventh test in the month and the second IRBM since the November 2017 test. |
| February 27, 2022 | North Korea launched a ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan. The missile reached a height of 600 km (370 mi) and reached a range of 300 km (190 mi), detected in the Sunan area. North Korea resumed the test-launch spree after a break of 28 days. |
| March 5, 2022 | North Korea test launched its Hwasong-17 ICBM system, albeit with a reduced capability or range. |
| March 16, 2022 | North Korea attempted to test-fire a projectile alleged to be an ICBM according to NHK, Japan citing a source in Ministry of Defense (Japan). The rocket broke up soon after liftoff. |
| March 24, 2022 | North Korea conducted its first successful ICBM launch in over four years. The ICBM launched with a distance of 1080 km and an altitude of 6000 km, suggesting an ability to reach the entire continental United States. North Korea claimed the ICBM was the new Hwasong-17; some analysts believe the launch was in fact a smaller 2017 Hwasong-15 ICBM, and that in order to allow it to travel farther it had been stripped of any significant payload. |
| April 16, 2022 | North Korea test launched two short-range tactical devices towards east coast which reached a height of 24 km (15 mi) and reached a range of 112 km (70 mi). |
| May 4, 2022 | North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the sea outside of Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone. The missile travelled a distance of 500 km with an altitude of 800 km. |
| May 7, 2022 | North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile, probably from a submarine, with a 600 km trajectory and an altitude around 60 km. The missile landed in the Sea of Japan. |
| May 12, 2022 | According to South Korea, North Korea launched three short-range ballistic missiles. |
| May 25, 2022 | According to South Korea, North Korea launched an ICBM and two other missiles. |
| June 5, 2022 | North Korea launched eight short-range ballistic missiles. According to Japan, at least one missile had a variable trajectory. |
| August 17, 2022 | North Korea reportedly fired two cruise missiles into the sea, in its first cruise missile testing since January. Unlike ballistic missile tests, cruise missile tests are not forbidden by the UN sanctions against North Korea. |
| September 25, 2022 | North Korea fired a ballistic missile into its eastern sea, South Korea's military said. The test came shortly after the US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, and its strike group arrived in South Korea for joint military exercises. |
| September 28, 2022 | North Korea fired two missiles, reportedly on irregular trajectories. |
| September 29, 2022 | North Korea fired at least one missile. |
| October 1, 2022 | North Korea fired ballistic missiles. |
| October 4, 2022 | North Korea launched an IRBM that flew over and past Japan, landing in the Sea of Japan without incident. |
| October 6, 2022 | North Korea fired ballistic missiles. |
| October 9, 2022 | North Korea fired two ballistic missiles. |
| October 12, 2022 | North Korea fired two long-range cruise missiles, each of which travelled 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi), and were reported to have hit their targets. |
| October 14, 2022 | North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile, towards its eastern waters. |
| October 28, 2022 | North Korea was reported to have launched a ballistic missile off its east coast. |
| November 2, 2022 | North Korea reportedly fired 23 missiles of various types—the most in a single day—including a ballistic missile that landed in international waters 167 kilometers off Ulleung island, triggering air raid sirens there. |
| November 3, 2022 | North Korea reportedly fired three ballistic missiles—one long-range and two short range—off its east coast, including one that flew near Japan. |
| November 5, 2022 | North Korea reportedly fired four short-range ballistic missiles into the western sea. The South Korean military said that the missiles travelled around 130 kilometres (81 mi) at an altitude of around 20 kilometres (12 mi). |
| November 8, 2022 | North Korea reportedly fired at least one ballistic missile into the sea on Wednesday, and South Korea said it had identified debris from an earlier launch as part of a Soviet-era SA-5 surface-to-air missile. |
| November 18, 2022 | North Korea reportedly fired at least one ballistic missile into the sea on Friday, believed to be the first successful full flight of its Hwasong-17. The missile landed in Japan's exclusive economic zone. |
| December 18, 2022 | North Korea reportedly fired two medium-range ballistic missiles. |
| December 23, 2022 | North Korea reportedly fired two short-range ballistic missiles. |
| December 31, 2022 | North Korea reportedly fired three short-range ballistic missiles, flying approximately 350 kilometres (220 mi). |
| February 18, 2023 | North Korea fired a Hwasong-15 ICBM. |
| February 20, 2023 | North Korea launched two ballistic missiles. |
| February 24, 2023 | North Korea fired four Hwasal-2 strategic cruise missiles off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula. |
| March–December 2023 | Further information: 2021–2023 North Korean missile tests § 2023 North Korea fired over a dozen missiles throughout March 2023, and conducted a missile test in April and also in July. On 21 November 2023, a Chŏllima 1 rocket carrying a Malligyong-1 reconnaissance satellite was launched from the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un present. It is not known if the satellite achieve orbit or what territory it overflew. On 18 December, the country reportedly fired its most advanced missile to date: an intercontinental ballistic missile which travelled for 73 minutes for a distance of about 1,000km (621 miles). |
| June 27, 2024 | North Korea claims successful test to develop multiple warhead missile. |
| September 18, 2024 | North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles that traveled at distance of about 400 km. |
| October 31, 2024 | North Korea tested an intercontinental ballistic missile. |
North Korean rockets flown over the Japanese archipelago :
| No. | Date | Model | Area flown over | Advance notice | North Korean claim | Satellite name |
| 1 | August 31, 1998 | Taepodong-1 | Akita | No | Satellite launch | Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 |
| 2 | April 5, 2009 | Unha-2 | Akita, Iwate | Yes | Satellite launch | Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2 |
| 3 | December 12, 2012 | Unha-3 | Okinawa | Yes | Satellite launch | Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 |
| 4 | February 7, 2016 | Kwangmyŏngsŏng (Unha-3) | Okinawa | Yes | Satellite launch | Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4 |
| 5 | August 29, 2017 | Hwasong-12 | Hokkaido | No | Missile launch | N/A |
| 6 | September 15, 2017 | Hwasong-12 | Hokkaido | No | Missile launch | N/A |
| 7 | October 4, 2022 | Hwasong-12 (presumed) | Aomori | No | | |
Number of missiles launched by North Korea per year since 1993 (as of 18 November 2022)

## Events related to missile tests
### 2016

On February 7, 2016, roughly a month after an alleged hydrogen bomb test, North Korea claimed to have put a satellite into low Earth orbit. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe had warned the North to not launch the rocket, and if it did and the rocket violated Japanese territory, it would be shot down. North Korea launched the rocket anyway, claiming the satellite was purely intended for peaceful, scientific purposes. Several nations, including the United States, Japan, and South Korea, have criticized the launch, and despite North Korean claims that the rocket was for peaceful purposes, it has been heavily criticized as an attempt to perform an ICBM test under the guise of a peaceful satellite launch. China also criticized the launch, however urged "the relevant parties" to "refrain from taking actions that may further escalate tensions on the Korean peninsula".
While some North Korean pronouncements have been treated with skepticism and ridicule, analysts treated the unusual pace of North Korean rocket and nuclear testing in early 2016 quite seriously. Admiral Bill Gortney, head of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, told Congress in March 2016, "It's the prudent decision on my part to assume that [Kim Jong Un] has the capability to miniaturize a nuclear weapon and put it on an ICBM," suggesting a major shift from a few years earlier.
North Korea appeared to launch a missile test from a submarine on April 23, 2016; while the missile only traveled 30 km, one U.S. analyst noted that "North Korea's sub launch capability has gone from a joke to something very serious". North Korea conducted multiple missile tests in 2016.

### 2017

On August 29, 2017, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the latest North Korea Ballistic Missile Launch and termed it as violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, as According to press reports, early Tuesday morning, the North Korea Ballistic Missile travelled some 2,700 kilometers, flying over Japan before crashing into the Pacific Ocean.
On September 3, 2017, North Korea claimed to have successfully tested a thermonuclear bomb, also known as a hydrogen bomb (see 2017 North Korean nuclear test). Corresponding seismic activity similar to an earthquake of magnitude 6.3 was reported by the USGS making the blast around 10 times more powerful than previous detonations by the country. Later the bomb yield was estimated to be 250 kilotons, based on further study of the seismic data. The test was reported to be "a perfect success".

### 2018

Indonesian authorities detained the North Korean's second-largest cargo ship, the Wise Honest, in April for having been photographed loading what appeared to be coal in North Korea. The ship's automatic identification system signal had been turned off since August 2017, trying to conceal its course. In July 2018 the U.S. Justice Department secured a sealed seizure warrant for the ship.

### 2019

The U.S. seized the Wise Honest in Indonesia under its warrant in May and put it under tow to American Samoa. The Justice Department said it was the first time the United States had seized a North Korean cargo vessel for international sanctions violations. The sanctions are intended "ultimately [to] pressure North Korea to dismantle its nuclear program".
Members of the UN Security Council (UNSC), including UK and France, condemned North Korea's recent missile launches. The nations urged Pyongyang to resume negotiations, citing the missile launches as violation of UNSC resolutions.
On October 2, North Korea confirmed testing a new ballistic missile launched from a submarine, and called it a "significant achievement" towards dealing with external threats and boosting its military power.
In December, Planet Labs released new satellite images of a factory unit where North Korea develops military equipment used in launching long-range missiles, indicating the construction of a new arrangement. The revelation has raised fear that North Korea might launch a rocket or missile to seek concessions in stagnant nuclear negotiations with the U.S.

### 2020

The Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General John Hyten, said on January 17 that North Korea is building new missiles, capabilities and weapons "As fast as anybody on the planet." He further stated that North Korea is learning from its mistakes while making advances in its missile programs. However, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy John Rood later told the House Armed Forces Committee on January 28 that North Korea did not go through with conducting a major missile launch which had been scheduled to take place sometime between late December and early January.

### 2021

North Korea conducted eight missile tests in 2021, compared with four missile tests in 2020.

### 2022

A ballistic missile was launched by North Korea on January 5, 2022, off its east coast, as per military officials in Seoul and Japan. The exact munition used for the testing remains unclear. However, the officials did cite the munition as a short-range projectile, which was presumed as a ballistic missile launched from an inland region into the Sea of Japan. Officials claimed to be maintaining "readiness posture" and close monitoring of the situation with its defense allies in the US.
North Korea's 11th missile launch of 2022 was its March 24 launch of an ICBM, marking its first successful ICBM launch since 2017.
According to Japanese Minister of Defense Nobuo Kishi, one or more missiles from North Korea's June 5, 2022 launch had a variable trajectory presumably designed to evade missile defenses.
On October 4, 2022, North Korea launched a missile that flew over and past Japan, prompting Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida to release an announcement warning citizens to take shelter and other precautionary measures. The missile, likely another ICBM, is said to have landed in the Sea of Japan without incident.
In early October 2022, the U.S. called an emergency UN Security Council meeting, at which it accused Russia and China of protecting the North from stronger sanctions. It also extended its naval drills alongside Japan and South Korea, redeploying the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier.
The same day as the October 14 missile test saw the firing of hundreds of North Korean artillery shells into maritime buffer zones, North Korea's third violation of the buffer zones established by the Pyongyang Joint Declaration of September 2018.
On 2 November 2022, North Korea was reported to have launched 23 missiles of various types. At the same time, more than 100 artillery rounds were fired and again violated the buffer zones established by the 2018 agreement. In response to the missile launches, air raid sirens were activated on Ulleung island, and three AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER missiles were fired by South Korean warplanes.
On 3 November 2022, North Korea reportedly fired at least one ballistic missile off its east coast, including one, believed to be a long-range missile, that flew over and past Japan. The launch triggered the Japanese emergency broadcast system, which alerted residents in the prefectures of Miyagi, Yamagata, and Niigata to stay indoors.

### 2023

On 19 November 2023, ROK Defense Minister Shin Won-sik informed the Korean Broadcasting System that an anticipated third satellite launch by North Korea was expected by the end of that month. On the evening of 21 November 2023, North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) that a Chŏllima 1 rocket carrying a Malligyong-1 reconnaissance satellite was launched from the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un present. On 23 November 2023, North Korea terminated the bi-lateral 2018 Comprehensive Military Agreement in response to South Korea’s decision to suspend a part of that agreement in reaction to North Korea’s latest satellite launch.

### 2024

In October 2024 North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited missile bases to inspect their readiness for "strategic deterrence" actions. During his visit, Kim emphasized that U.S. nuclear capabilities pose a growing threat to North Korea. In response to perceived external threats, North Korea has intensified the development of its ballistic missile program and nuclear arsenal. These actions have drawn widespread international condemnation and led to the imposition of additional sanctions aimed at curbing the country's military advancements.
In January 2025, response to joint U.S.-South Korean military drills, North Korea carried out a cruise missile test, emphasizing its commitment to strong counteractions. At the same time, President Trump signalled his intention to reopen diplomatic discussions with Kim Jong Un.