North Korea Launches Missiles, US and South Korea Enter Full Alert

North Korea has once again demonstrated its military prowess by launching a short-range ballistic missile towards the sea off the eastern coast of the Korean Peninsula on Saturday (12/9) at 05:20 local time.

The missile flew approximately 250 kilometres, according to an official statement from the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). South Korean and United States authorities are currently conducting an in-depth analysis regarding the missile’s specifications.

The JCS also explained that South Korean and US intelligence authorities had tracked and shared information regarding the launch from the outset. Detailed information regarding the ballistic missile was also shared with Japan.

“The South Korean military is closely monitoring North Korean activities and maintains the capability and readiness to respond firmly to any provocation based on the combined defence posture with the US,” the JCS wrote, quoting Channel News Asia on Sunday (13/9/2026).

In response, South Korea’s Presidential National Security Office immediately convened an emergency meeting involving the Ministry of Defence, the JCS, and several related agencies. In this forum, officials evaluated the government’s response measures, assessed the impact of the launch on national security, and discussed necessary mitigation steps.

The South Korean government firmly urged Pyongyang to immediately cease ballistic missile launches, describing the action as a blatant violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Separately, the US Indo-Pacific Command stated it has been monitoring the launch and is consulting closely with allies and partners in the region. Based on preliminary assessments, the military action does not pose a direct threat to US personnel or the territories of its allies.

“The US remains committed to defending the US and our allies in the region,” stated the US Indo-Pacific Command via a post on the X platform.

Shadow of Military Exercises and Plans for Trump-Kim Meeting

This provocative action occurs amidst rising tensions following North Korea’s condemnation late last month of the planned ‘Freedom Edge’ military exercises in international waters off the coast of South Korea. At that time, Pyongyang labelled the joint exercises as a serious “threat” to regional stability.

The latest projectile launch also coincides with the execution of the annual ‘Ulchi Freedom Shield’ military exercises by South Korea and the US. However, the scale of this year’s exercises appears smaller following specific instructions from US President Donald Trump to reduce the intensity of the drills, which he described as “inappropriate and hostile” towards North Korea.

The decision to scale down the exercises has caused concern among US allies in the region. On the other hand, Trump is attempting to revive personal diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un—a relationship he claims to have established during his first term.

In a statement to reporters at the White House on 19 August, Trump revealed his plans for a meeting with Kim Jong Un this year. He emphasised the importance of “building a good relationship” with the North Korean leader, while noting that Pyongyang now possesses 57 “very powerful” nuclear weapons.

The disclosure of such a specific figure is unusual for a US official regarding such a sensitive issue. By comparison, Seoul estimates North Korea’s total nuclear warhead count to be in the range of 80 to 120 units.

Pyongyang’s Anger and Kim Yo Jong’s Sharp Criticism

Only hours after Trump’s statement, North Korea responded by launching more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles from the Pyongyang area towards the Sea of Japan, according to South Korean military reports.

The situation has intensified after Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of the North Korean leader, issued a sharp condemnation. She viewed President Trump’s decision to reduce the scale of joint military exercises with Seoul as a form of “punishment” for South Korea.

In her official statement, Kim Yo Jong described the policy as a “real disaster caused by unrealistic and outdated security views” from the Seoul side. She also reiterated harsh accusations that South Korea maintains a “master and servant” relationship within its alliance with the United States.