North Korea Fires Ballistic Missiles, Cruise Missiles and Drones in 'Joint Firepower Attack Drill'

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff detected North Korea firing several short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area at approximately 5:20 a.m. on September 12, 2026 — the day after the US-South Korea-Japan 'Freedom Edge' trilateral exercise concluded. The missiles, assessed as from the Hwasong-11 (KN-23) family alongside 600mm multiple rocket launcher rounds, flew roughly 250 km before landing near Al Island off Hwadae County. KCNA's delayed report, published September 14, described the launches as part of a broader 'joint firepower attack drill' involving subunits from five artillery and missile units testing 'new combat systems' — attack drones, tactical cruise missiles, thermobaric multiple rocket launcher rounds and tactical ballistic missiles — against a target island, claiming '100% accuracy' and 'unity and simultaneity.' South Korea's presidential office convened an emergency security meeting and called the launches 'a grave act that violates United Nations Security Council resolutions.' US Pacific Command said the launches did not pose an immediate threat to US personnel, territory or allies.