Archive · 12 Sep 2026
North Korea Fires Short-Range Missiles After Allied Drills
North Korea fired several missiles toward the sea near its eastern coast.
The missiles were launched from an area called Wonsan early Saturday morning.
South Korea said they traveled about 250 kilometers.
South Korea, the United States, and Japan shared information about what happened.
South Korea called the launches a violation of international rules.
The United States said the missiles did not immediately threaten its people, territory, or allies.
The launches happened soon after the three countries finished military exercises.
North Korea says such exercises can threaten its security, while the three countries say the drills help them defend against missile and nuclear threats.
North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area toward the sea off its east coast around 5:20 a.m. Saturday.
The missiles flew approximately 250 kilometers, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.
South Korean and U.S. authorities tracked the launches and shared information with Japan while analyzing the missiles’ specifications.
South Korea called the launches a serious violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and held an emergency security meeting.
The launches followed the conclusion of the five-day Freedom Edge exercises, which North Korea had condemned as provocative.
- Who
- North Korea launched the missiles; South Korea, the United States, and Japan monitored and assessed the incident.
- What
- Several short-range ballistic missiles were fired toward waters off North Korea’s east coast.
- When
- Around 5:20 a.m. Saturday, the day after the allied exercises ended.
- Where
- The missiles were launched from the Wonsan area and flew toward the sea off North Korea’s east coast.
- Why
- North Korea had condemned the joint military exercises as a security threat; the exercises’ participants said they were intended to improve responses to North Korean missile and nuclear threats.
North Korea’s Position
South Korea, United States, and Japan’s Position
Meaning of military exercises
North Korea’s Position
North Korea characterizes joint exercises involving the United States as rehearsals for an invasion and had warned of countermeasures.
South Korea, United States, and Japan’s Position
The three countries describe the exercises as defensive and intended to improve cooperation against North Korea’s missile and nuclear threats.
Assessment of the launches
North Korea’s Position
North Korea’s stated position in the articles frames the launches as countermeasures to what it views as military provocation.
South Korea, United States, and Japan’s Position
South Korea called the launches a serious violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and urged North Korea to stop them.
- Launch area
- Wonsan, North Korea
- Launch time
- Around 5:20 a.m. Saturday
- Missile type
- Several short-range ballistic missiles
- Approximate flight distance
- 250 kilometers (155 miles)
- Exercise preceding launches
- Five-day Freedom Edge drills involving South Korea, Japan, and the United States
- South Korean response
- Emergency security meeting and increased surveillance and readiness
- U.S. assessment
- No immediate threat to U.S. personnel, territory, or allies
