Kim Jong-un fires two ballistic missiles into sea in latest show of strength – after US, Japan and South Korea drills

NORTH Korea has fired short-range ballistic missiles towards the East Sea in a military prowess flex aimed at the US. Shifting the needle from mad to dangerous, Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un ordered the two launches – about three hours apart – despite apparent efforts by the US to revive diplomacy between the two nuclear nations. People sit near a television screen showing a news broadcast with file footage of a North Korean missile test, at a train station in Seoul on September 20, 2026 Credit: AFP North Korean leader Kim Jong Un presiding over a national flag-hoisting and oath-taking ceremony marking the country’s 78th founding anniversary 9 September 2026 Credit: EPA The first missile flew about 279 miles, while the second 372 miles, analysis from Japan and South Korea show. “We are closely monitoring North Korea‘s various activities and maintain the capability and readiness to overwhelmingly respond to provocations, under the staunch South Korea-US combined defence posture,” South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Japan said the projectile is believed to have fallen outside of its exclusive economic zone, Kyodo News reported. Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi “strongly condemned” the launch, which violates relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Read more about North Korea This comes after Donald Trump scaled back a joint military exercise with South Korea last month Shrugging off the gesture of good will, Kim’s sister and senior official, Kim Yo Jong, warned that it does not change “provocative, aggressive nature.” And just in case the US was unsure of North Korea’s stance, 10 short-range ballistic missiles were launched toward the sea later on. On Friday, Kim’s sister again slammed another recent US-led maritime drill in the region as a “frantic military move” meant to prolong the hegemony in the Asia-Pacific area. Most read in The Sun Kim discussing the production of major munitions during a tour of a munitions factory in an undisclosed location in North Korea Credit: EPA Kim and his daughter Kim Ju Ae watching a televised test-firing of strategic cruise missiles from the destroyer Choe Hyon, at an undisclosed location in North Korea Credit: AFP The “Pacific Vanguard” exercise brought together the US, South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. She claimed that “regular US-led war rehearsals” are the main source of worsening tensions in the Korean Peninsula and the region. “Our will to defend our sovereignty will be expressed in clearer action and there will be never ever change in the course of intensifying the nuclear war deterrence,” she said. It comes just days after the US President revealed plans to meet with the North Korean dictator. Boasting about their relationship, he said: “You know what, the fact that I get along with him, that’s a good thing not a bad thing. “He has 57 very powerful nuclear weapons. Should have never allowed it to happen.” But Trump shared no further details on the plan. If it happens, it would be their first meeting since Trump’s first term in the White House. Kim has had his eye on expanding his nuclear arsenal ever since then, and has only deepened his ties with both China and Russia. Experts say he likely thinks he now has greater leverage in possible fresh diplomacy with Trump. Earlier this year, Kim said he could return to talks if the US drops its “hostile policy” against his country and respects what he calls the North’s status as a nuclear state. Comment now