North Korea fires 10 missiles as Trump courts Kim Jong Un

On Thursday, August 20, 2026, North Korea launched about 10 short-range ballistic missiles from the Pyongyang area toward the sea east of the Korean Peninsula, according to South Korea's military. The missiles flew around 300 kilometers and landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. The launch came during scaled-back Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises between South Korea and the United States, which were set to end Friday following President Trump's order to reduce them. Hours earlier, Trump had said he expected to meet with Kim Jong Un later this year. Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean leader's sister, dismissed the overture, calling the drills provocative and aggressive. South Korea condemned the launch as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and urged the North to halt further tests.