North Korea says missile ‘skip points’ expose gaps in South Korean, Japanese tracking

North Korea is challenging South Korean and Japanese accounts of its latest missile launch. North Korea launches an intermediate-range missile Oct. 3, 2026, according to this image from the state-run Korean Central News Agency. (KCNA) North Korea is challenging South Korean and Japanese accounts of its latest missile launch, claiming the weapon flew roughly 200 miles farther than either country reported because its unusual trajectory complicated their tracking. Pyongyang said an intermediate-range strategic missile fired Saturday traveled 621 miles before striking a target in the East Sea — commonly known as the Sea of Japan. South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense estimated it flew 435 miles, while Japan’s Ministry of Defense put the distance at 422 miles.

Seoul stood by its assessment Sunday, saying its military accurately tracked the missile from launch. Japan’s Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to an email request for comment Monday. Kim Yo Jong — sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un — said North Korean missiles use a “wave-like trajectory” with “skip points” that South Korean and Japanese systems fail to take into account, according to a Saturday report by the state-run Korean Central News Agency. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, observe an intermediate-range missile launch Oct. 3, 2026, according to this image from the state-run