North Korea says its recent live-fire drill demonstrated 'huge destructive power'
North Korea conducted a joint live-fire drill involving missiles and drones, claiming it demonstrated significant destructive power. South Korean officials confirmed the launch of short-range ballistic missiles, which experts suggest are designed to target South Korean territory.
Why it matters
The escalation in military activity signals a breakdown in diplomatic efforts and highlights rising regional tensions in the Korean Peninsula.
North Korea said on Monday (September 14, 2026) it conducted a joint live-fire drill involving missiles, artillery and drones that it claimed demonstrated "the huge destructive power of concentration fire." The official Korean Central News Agency said Saturday's (September 12) drill was meant to get familiar with the procedure for the operation of the integrated firepower control system. South Korea's military earlier said it detected short-range ballistic missile launches from North Korea's eastern coastal Wonsan area on Saturday (September 12) morning.
After observing the drill, Marshal Pak Jong Chon said the drill would "improve the level of specialisation to bring down the enemy's armed forces organisationally and structurally once an order is issued." He added the weapons systems mobilised demonstrated "the huge destructive power of concentration fire," according to KCNA .
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