Archive · 20 Sep 2026
North Korea Fires Two Ballistic Missiles Within Three Hours
North Korea fired two missiles from its eastern coast on Sunday.
The launches happened about three hours apart.
South Korea said the first missile was a short-range ballistic missile.
It traveled about 450 kilometers and may have belonged to the Hwasong-11 series.
The second missile traveled more than 600 kilometers.
Japan also said the first launch appeared to be a ballistic missile, and NHK reported that it landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
South Korea and Japan said the launches threatened regional security.
North Korea has blamed military exercises led by the United States for making tensions worse.
North Korea launched two missiles from the Wonsan area off its eastern coast on Sunday.
The first launch was detected around 3 p.m. and flew approximately 450 kilometers; South Korea presumed it was from the Hwasong-11 series.
A second missile was launched around 5:50 p.m. and traveled more than 600 kilometers.
South Korea and Japan identified the launches as ballistic-missile tests, while NHK reported that the projectile landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
South Korea condemned the launches as violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions, while North Korea blamed U.S.-led military drills for worsening tensions.
- Who
- North Korea launched the missiles; South Korea and Japan detected and assessed the tests, while the United States consulted with its allies and partners.
- What
- Two missiles, identified by South Korea and Japan as ballistic missiles, were launched roughly three hours apart.
- When
- Sunday, with launches detected at about 3 p.m. and 5:50 p.m.; the reports identify the date as September 20.
- Where
- The missiles were launched from the Wonsan area on North Korea’s eastern coast toward the East Sea.
- Why
- South Korea and Japan described the launches as threats and violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions, while North Korea blamed U.S.-led military drills for worsening tensions.
South Korea, Japan and United States
North Korea
Cause of regional tensions
South Korea, Japan and United States
South Korea and Japan treated the launches as threats to regional and international peace and security. South Korea said the tests violated United Nations Security Council resolutions.
North Korea
North Korea’s Kim Yo Jong blamed U.S.-led military drills, including exercises involving South Korea and Japan, for worsening tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Military activity
South Korea, Japan and United States
South Korea urged North Korea to immediately stop its missile activity, while Japan protested the launches and the United States said they posed no immediate threat to its personnel, territory or allies.
North Korea
Kim Yo Jong said North Korea would not change its course of strengthening its nuclear arsenal.
- Launches
- Two missiles launched roughly three hours apart
- Launch location
- Wonsan area, North Korea
- First launch
- About 3 p.m.; approximately 450 kilometers
- Second launch
- About 5:50 p.m.; more than 600 kilometers
- First missile assessment
- Presumed by South Korea’s military to belong to the Hwasong-11 series
- South Korean response
- The National Security Council condemned the launches and called for an immediate end to missile activity
- Japanese response
- Japan lodged a protest through embassy channels in Beijing