North Korea Launches Two Short-Range Ballistic Missiles off the East Coast

On September 20, 2026, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) from the Wonsan area into the East Sea. The first missile was detected at around 3 p.m. local time and travelled roughly 450 km (?280 mi). About three hours later, a second missile was launched at approximately 5:50 p.m., covering more than 600 km (?373 mi). Both are presumed to belong to the Hwasong-11 family.

South China Morning Post

The launches followed Pyongyang’s rejection of a United Nations-backed resolution calling for an end to its nuclear programme on September 19. Earlier in the month, North Korea condemned a U.S.–led naval drill involving South Korea and Japan that ran from August 29 to September 10 near Guam. Kim Yo Jong has repeatedly blamed U.S. exercises for “ever-worsening” tensions on the peninsula.

The Jerusalem PostReutersNorth Korea has launched an additional projectile toward the sea, South Korea says Euronews

• August 29 – September 10 – U.S.–led naval drill near Guam.

North Korea has launched an additional projectile toward the sea, South Korea says

• September 12 – Short-range missile test after the “Freedom Edge” exercise.

South China Morning Post

• September 14 – “Firepower strike drill” announced, mixing missiles, drones and rockets.

JCS: "North Korea Fires Unidentified Projectile Toward East Sea"… 8 Days Since Last Launch if Ballistic Missile

• September 19 – Dismissal of a UN nuclear-watchdog resolution.

North Korea fires two projectiles into sea, says Seoul

• September 20 – Two SRBMs launched from Wonsan within a three-hour window.

South China Morning Post

South Korea’s National Security Council convened an emergency meeting, urging Pyongyang to “immediately cease” the launches and labeling them a “grave act” that violates UN Security Council resolutions.

Reuters

Kim Yo Jong reaffirmed the country’s “absolute” nuclear-armed status and dismissed calls for denuclearisation as “idiotic.”

France 24

The back-to-back launches demonstrate North Korea’s missile capability amid heightened diplomatic activity, including the upcoming UN General Assembly and a U.S.–China summit. The timing signals Pyongyang’s willingness to respond to perceived external pressure while rejecting international calls for restraint.

North Korea Fires Ballistic Missile; JCS Says It Flew 450 km into East Sea from Wonsan

• Missile identification: Some outlets described the first projectile as “unidentified,” while others identified it as an SRBM.

North Korea fires two missiles toward East Sea

• Flight distances: Reported ranges for the first missile vary between 440 km (Japanese defence ministry) and 450 km (South Korean sources). The second missile’s distance is reported as “more than 600 km,” with exact figures differing.

South China Morning Post

• Exact specifications: Detailed analysis of payloads and propulsion remains pending, as intelligence agencies continue reviewing the data.

North Korea fires two missiles toward East Sea

• “At around 3:00 p.m., we detected a ballistic missile launched into the East Sea from the area of Wonsan, North Korea.” — The JCS

North Korea Fires Ballistic Missile; JCS Says It Flew 450 km into East Sea from Wonsan

• “Our military detected an additional short-range ballistic missile launched from the Wonsan area of North Korea towards the East Sea at around 5:50pm,” — South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff

France 24

• “South Korea and the U.S. are conducting a detailed analysis regarding the exact specifications,” — The JCS

North Korea Fires 2 Ballistic Missiles 3 Hours Apart in Provocation Ahead of UN General Assembly