North Korea fires short-range ballistic missile days before US-South Korea joint military drills

North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile from its eastern coastal Wonsan area on August 6, 2026, marking its first ballistic test since late June. The launch occurred days before the United States and South Korea begin their annual joint military drills, which Pyongyang denounces as an invasion rehearsal. In response, South Korea heightened its surveillance posture, while Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi confirmed the missile landed harmlessly at sea and lodged a formal protest.

North Korea ballistic missile launch

• ▪North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile toward the sea from its eastern coastal Wonsan area at approximately 5:00 p.m. local time on August 6, 2026.
• ▪The August 6, 2026 launch represents North Korea's first ballistic missile test since late June 2026.

US-South Korea joint military drills

• ▪North Korea characterizes the joint United States-South Korea military maneuvers as a practice rehearsal for an invasion.
• ▪The United States and South Korea are scheduled to conduct large-scale, annual joint military exercises, typically known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, in the second half of August 2026.

Japan defense ministry response

• ▪Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi stated that the North Korean missile landed in the waters off North Korea's east coast with no impact on Japanese territory.
• ▪The Japanese government lodged a formal protest to Pyongyang through their respective embassies in Beijing following the August 6, 2026 missile launch.

South Korea surveillance coordination

• ▪South Korea's presidential national security council condemned the August 6, 2026 launch as a provocative act that violates United Nations Security Council resolutions.
• ▪South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that South Korea's military bolstered its surveillance posture and is closely coordinating intelligence with the United States and Japan.

North Korea weapons testing pattern

• ▪In late June 2026, North Korea tested a tactical ballistic missile fitted with what state media described as a "special mission" warhead.
• ▪In early July 2026, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised test firings of a nuclear-capable cruise missile aboard a new 5,000-ton destroyer.