Archive · 12 Sep 2026
North Korea Launches Missiles After Trilateral Military Drills
North Korea launched missiles toward the sea near Japan.
One report described one unidentified projectile, while another said several ballistic missiles were launched.
South Korea detected the launch early Saturday near North Korea’s eastern coast.
The launch happened one day after military exercises by South Korea, the United States and Japan ended.
Those exercises were called Freedom Edge.
South Korea and the United States said the exercises were defensive and focused on responding to threats from North Korea.
North Korea had criticized the drills as a threat and warned it could respond strongly.
The United States said the launch did not create an immediate danger to its people, land or allies.
North Korea launched an unidentified projectile, or several ballistic missiles, toward the Sea of Japan on Saturday, according to reports from South Korea and its neighbors.
South Korea detected the launch around 5:20 a.m. local time; one report said the projectile traveled about 250 kilometers.
The launch followed the conclusion of five-day Freedom Edge maritime drills involving South Korea, the United States and Japan.
South Korea called the launches serious violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions and said it was maintaining military readiness.
The United States said its assessment found no immediate threat to its personnel, territory or allies, while reaffirming its regional defense commitment.
- Who
- North Korea launched the missiles or projectile; South Korea, the United States and Japan had conducted the preceding military drills.
- What
- North Korea launched what South Korea described as an unidentified projectile and another report described as several ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan.
- When
- Saturday, September 12, around 5:20 a.m. local time, one day after the drills ended.
- Where
- The launch was detected from North Korea’s eastern coastal area near Wonsan and traveled toward the Sea of Japan, also called the East Sea in Korea.
- Why
- North Korea viewed the Freedom Edge drills as a security threat, while South Korea, the United States and Japan described the exercises as defensive and intended to improve responses to North Korean threats.
North Korea’s Position
South Korea, United States and Japan’s Position
Purpose of the drills
North Korea’s Position
North Korea called the Freedom Edge exercises a threat to Pyongyang and other countries in the region.
South Korea, United States and Japan’s Position
South Korea said the five-day drills were defensive and designed to improve joint responses to North Korean nuclear threats.
Response to the launch
North Korea’s Position
North Korea had warned that it could take strong countermeasures from a position of power after criticizing the exercises.
South Korea, United States and Japan’s Position
South Korea called the launches serious violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions and urged North Korea to stop ballistic missile launches.
Immediate danger
North Korea’s Position
North Korea’s reported response involved launching missiles or a projectile toward the Sea of Japan.
South Korea, United States and Japan’s Position
The United States said its assessment found no immediate threat to US personnel, territory or allies, while South Korea maintained military readiness.
- Launch description
- Reports differed: one described an unidentified projectile, while another reported several ballistic missiles.
- Launch distance
- About 250 kilometers, or 155 miles, according to South Korea.
- Detection time
- Around 5:20 a.m. local time on Saturday, September 12.
- Launch area
- North Korea’s eastern coastal Wonsan area, according to South Korea’s military.
- Preceding exercise
- Five-day Freedom Edge maritime drills involving South Korea, the United States and Japan.
- South Korean response
- South Korea convened an emergency security review, boosted surveillance and said it was maintaining readiness.
- United States assessment
- The United States said the launch posed no immediate threat to its personnel, territory or allies.
