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// DOSSIER — north-korea-ballistic-missile-tests-us-south-korea
North Korea Conducts Back-to-Back Ballistic Missile Tests Ahead of US-South Korea Military Drills
REL_TIME: 13 Aug 2026 00:51Z · LANG: EN
In August 2026, North Korea conducted two ballistic missile tests within less than a week, launching projectiles from its eastern coastal Wonsan area toward the Sea of Japan. The first launch occurred on August 6, following warnings from Kim Yo Jong criticizing Japan's defense buildup. The second launch on August 12 flew over 700 kilometers before landing outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. South Korea and Japan strongly condemned the launches as dangerous provocations, while experts view them as a protest against the upcoming joint US-South Korea 'Ulchi Freedom Shield' military exercises scheduled to begin on August 17.
// Background
North Korea has steadily expanded its nuclear and missile capabilities since the collapse of denuclearization diplomacy between Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump in 2019. Pyongyang frequently uses joint US-South Korea military exercises, such as the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield, as a pretext to accelerate its weapons testing. Additionally, North Korea has recently deepened its strategic alignment with Russia, providing military support for the war in Ukraine, and has sought to strengthen ties with China.
// Key Developments
- North Korea launched ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area on August 6 and August 12, 2026.
- The August 12 missile traveled approximately 700 kilometers (435 miles) and landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.
- The tests occurred shortly before the joint US-South Korea 'Ulchi Freedom Shield' military drills, set for August 17–27, 2026.
- Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi lodged a strong diplomatic protest through Beijing, calling the launches a threat to regional safety.
- The launches follow a warning from Kim Yo Jong accusing Japan of accelerating its transformation into a 'war state.'
// Timeline
-
Kim Jong Un inspects a weapons-grade nuclear material facility and vows to expand the country's nuclear arsenal exponentially.
-
Kim Yo Jong accuses Japan of transforming into a 'war state' and threatens military countermeasures.
-
North Korea launches a short-range ballistic missile from the Wonsan area around 5 p.m. local time.
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The US and South Korea announce that the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield military drills will begin on August 17.
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North Korea launches a second ballistic missile from Wonsan around 6 a.m. local time, flying over 700 kilometers.
// Perspectives
[North Korea]
Views the joint US-South Korea military exercises as invasion rehearsals and justifies its missile tests as proactive countermeasures against regional defense buildups by Japan and the US.
[South Korea]
Condemns the missile launches as acts of provocation, demands an immediate halt, and maintains a high state of military readiness in cooperation with the US.
[Japan]
Strongly protests the launches as direct threats to national and regional security, coordinating closely with the US and South Korea while expanding its own counterstrike capabilities.
[United States]
Assesses that the launches pose no immediate threat to US personnel or allies, while continuing consultations and preparing for joint defensive military exercises.
// Quotes
“Japan, a war criminal state, is accelerating its transformation into a war state.”
“It’s a serious problem that affects the safety of the Japanese people.”
“North Korea's series of actions, including these repeated ballistic missile launches, threaten the peace and safety of Japan, the region, and the international community.”
