On August 6, 2026, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that North Korea had launched a short-range ballistic missile into the eastern waters of the Korean Peninsula.
This marks North Korea’s tenth missile launch of the year and the first since late June. The launch comes ahead of the annual joint military exercises planned by the United States and South Korea in the second half of August.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense also stated that the flying object launched by North Korea could be a ballistic missile, but it did not have any impact on Japan’s territory or surrounding areas. The Japan Coast Guard has urged coastal vessels to remain vigilant and report any debris or objects found immediately to the authorities.
On June 25, North Korea conducted weapon tests including tactical ballistic missiles, 155mm self-propelled artillery with extended range, and 240mm multiple rocket launchers. On July 3, North Korea evaluated the performance of a strategic cruise missile system aboard the 5000-ton-class new destroyer “Jiangjian.”
The annual joint military exercises between the U.S. and South Korea are expected to take place later this month. While American and South Korean officials describe these exercises as defensive in nature, North Korea views them as “invasion drills” and often responds with missile tests and aggressive rhetoric.
The specific details of this year’s joint exercises have not been officially announced by the U.S. and South Korea, but in previous years, they have typically been held in the latter half of August.
Since diplomatic talks between North Korea and the U.S. stalled in 2019, Kim Jong Un has continued to expand North Korea’s nuclear arsenal and missile stockpile. Experts believe that Kim Jong Un seeks international recognition of North Korea as a nuclear state in order to push for the lifting of international sanctions.
A United Nations Security Council resolution prohibits North Korea from launching ballistic missiles. While tests of cruise missiles and artillery systems are not explicitly banned, experts point out that these tests still pose a threat to South Korea and the United States.
In recent years, Kim Jong Un has enhanced North Korea’s diplomatic standing by deepening its relationship with Russia. North Korea has provided conventional weapons to Russia and deployed soldiers to support its actions in Ukraine.