# North Korean ballistic missile testing

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/north-korean-ballistic-missile-testing
> Updated: 2026-08-11T18:02:10.000Z. Sources: 55. Developments: 2.

North Korea has conducted two ballistic missile tests within a single week in August 2026. The first launch, occurring on 6 August, involved a short-range ballistic missile fired from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea. While Japan reported no impact or damage within its exclusive economic zone, the launch prompted South Korea to increase its surveillance posture in coordination with the United States and Japan.

A second suspected ballistic missile was launched off the country’s east coast on 11 August. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported this launch occurred around 6 a.m. from the Wonsan area, traveling more than 700 kilometers toward the East Sea. Japan’s Defense Ministry also detected the projectile but indicated it did not enter Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

Both provocations took place ahead of the scheduled ‘Ulchi Freedom Shield’ joint military drills between the United States and South Korea, which are set to begin on 17 August. These exercises will involve approximately 18,000 South Korean soldiers. North Korean officials, including Kim Yo Jong, have expressed opposition to these exercises, with Kim Yo Jong stating that Pyongyang would not remain a ‘passive onlooker’ to Japan’s military developments. North Korean state media has also criticized Japan’s defense white paper, accusing Tokyo of attempting to revive militarism.

## Claims

- North Korea launched a ballistic missile from the Wonsan area around 6 a.m. local time. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- South Korea and the United States are scheduled to begin the Ulchi Freedom Shield military drills on August 17. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- North Korea views the joint U.S.-South Korean military drills as a rehearsal for an invasion. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- This missile launch is the second ballistic missile test conducted by North Korea in less than one week. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The missile did not enter Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The missile traveled a distance of more than 700 kilometers. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The upcoming Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise will involve 18,000 South Korean soldiers. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- North Korean state media criticized Japan’s defense white paper as an attempt to revive militarism. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-11: North Korea launches ballistic missile ahead of U.S.-South Korea drills

North Korea launched a ballistic missile from the Wonsan area on Wednesday, its second test in a week, ahead of upcoming joint U.S.-South Korean military drills.

26 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-korea-launches-suspected-ballistic-missile

### 2026-08-06: North Korea fires short‑range ballistic missile toward East Sea

North Korea launched a short‑range ballistic missile toward the East Sea on 6 Aug 2026; South Korea detected it, Japan reported no damage, and the test precedes U.S.–South Korea drills, prompting warnings from

30 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-korea-fires-shortrange-ballistic-missile-into-east-sea

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Cite as: North Korean ballistic missile testing. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/north-korean-ballistic-missile-testing