North Korea fires missile ahead of US-South Korea drills

On August 12, 2026, North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward the sea, its second such launch in a week, ahead of upcoming US-South Korea military drills. The launch was reported by multiple sources, including Yonhap News Agency and AFP. The missile test comes as the US and South Korea were preparing for joint exercises, which North Korea has often condemned as provocative. No further details about the missile's flight or impact were provided in the headlines.