North Korea launches missile barrage after dismissing Donald Trump’s overture

On 20 August 2026, North Korea fired a barrage of about 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea, according to Seoul, as US-South Korea military drills neared their end. Japan reported a suspected ballistic missile launch.

The launches came hours after Trump said he plans to meet Kim Jong-un this year. The Financial Times reported that North Korea had dismissed Trump's overture, and MS NOW noted that Trump had called Kim 'well behaved'.