North Korea fires unidentified projectile off its east coast: South Korea
North Korea launched an unidentified projectile off its east coast, according to South Korean military reports. This action follows recent diplomatic tensions regarding the scaling back of U.S.-South Korea military exercises.
Why it matters
The launch underscores the ongoing volatility and security challenges on the Korean Peninsula.
South Korea said North Korea fired an unidentified projectile off the North's east coast, the Yonhap News Agency reported, citing South Korea's military as saying the launch happened on Thursday (August 20, 2026).
The reported launch happened a day after the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shrugged off U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to scale back military exercises with South Korea in an apparent attempt to restore diplomacy.
Mr. Kim Yo Jong said the provocative nature of the drills hasn't changed.
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