North Korea Fires About 10 Ballistic Missiles Toward Sea

By Aurax Radio | August 20, 2026 | 2 min read

North Korea fired about 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea Thursday, South Korea said, hours after Pyongyang rejected Washington’s latest effort to reduce military tensions. The launches came a day after the United States and South Korea scaled back their annual joint military exercises.

U.S. and South Korean soldiers conducting a military exercise near the border with North Korea.

U.S. and South Korean forces conduct military exercises as tensions remain high on the Korean Peninsula.

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea’s military said North Korea launched about 10 short-range ballistic missiles from the area around Pyongyang at about 5 p.m. local time. The missiles traveled roughly 300 kilometers toward waters off the Korean Peninsula, and South Korea increased surveillance while coordinating with U.S. and Japanese authorities. Japan said the projectiles had fallen into the sea outside its exclusive economic zone, with no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The launches followed the decision by Washington and Seoul to shorten the Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercise, which was originally scheduled to continue for 11 days. President Donald Trump had directed the Pentagon to substantially reduce U.S. participation in the drills, while North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, dismissed the move as insufficient and said the exercises remained provocative. The annual drills are intended to strengthen the allies’ readiness against potential North Korean military action.

The missile launches add to tensions on the Korean Peninsula as Washington signals interest in renewing direct diplomacy with Pyongyang. Trump has indicated an interest in another meeting with Kim, while North Korea has continued expanding its missile and nuclear capabilities and strengthening military ties with Russia. South Korea’s National Security Council held an emergency meeting following Thursday’s launches, and officials said the country would maintain close coordination with its allies as the situation develops.

Sources: Associated Press, Reuters, NBC News, The Guardian and South Korean military authorities.

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