IRIA News

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North Korea fired more than 10 ballistic missiles into the sea on March 14, 2026, according to South Korea’s military. The missiles were fired as the United States and South Korea carried out large-scale military drills.

The missile launches highlight rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula at a time when Washington is attempting to manage broader geopolitical issues, including its attack on Iran.

Early reports indicated that the missiles landed in waters east of the Korean Peninsula and did not cause any damage to nearby aircraft or ships.

Japan and South Korea said the missiles were launched in the early afternoon local time from North Korea’s west coast.

Japan’s Ministry of Defense said the projectiles were fired at about 1:34 p.m. local time and traveled in a northeastern direction. Japanese officials estimated the missiles reached a maximum altitude of about 80 kilometers (50 miles) and flew roughly 340 kilometers before landing near the east coast of the Korean Peninsula.

According to Japanese authorities, the missiles fell outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said Pyongyang fired approximately 10 ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.

The military said South Korean, Japanese, and U.S. forces remain in a “heightened surveillance posture against additional launches.” Officials said this marks the third time North Korea has conducted ballistic missile launches since the start of the year.

Launches Coinciding with Military Drills

The missile tests took place while South Korea and the United States were conducting their annual Freedom Shield military exercises.

The 10-day drills involve thousands of troops and are designed to test the readiness of the allied forces against potential threats from North Korea. The exercises are scheduled to run until March 19.

Hundreds of U.S. and South Korean troops also carried out river-crossing drills on Saturday using tanks and armored combat vehicles. The training was overseen by the commander of the combined forces.

The United States maintains about 28,500 troops in South Korea, along with fighter jet squadrons and other military assets. Washington and Seoul say the exercises are purely defensive. However, North Korea regularly criticizes the drills and claims they are rehearsals for a possible invasion.

Earlier this week, Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accused the United States and South Korea of “destroying the stability” of the Korean Peninsula and “muscle flexing” near North Korea’s borders.

North Korea also fired cruise missiles earlier in the week from what officials described as a new naval destroyer.

Long-Running Missile Program

North Korea has been developing ballistic and cruise missile technology for more than two decades as part of its effort to build weapons capable of delivering nuclear warheads.

Experts believe the country has successfully developed nuclear weapons, though the exact size and sophistication of its arsenal remain uncertain.

Because of its nuclear and missile programs, North Korea has been under multiple sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council since 2006.

Despite the restrictions, the country has continued testing missiles and expanding its military capabilities. Analysts say the tests are often intended as political signals aimed at both regional rivals and the United States.

Trump Signals Openness to Dialogue

The missile launches also came amid renewed speculation about possible diplomatic engagement between Washington and Pyongyang.

South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-Seok said earlier this week that Trump remains open to restarting dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Trump in Washington, the prime minister said the U.S. president indicated that a meeting with Kim could take place in the future.

“He said, ‘Meeting [Kim] is something good. But it could come during the period of my visit to China. It may not happen [during the visit] or could take place afterward,’” Kim Min-seok said.

Trump and Kim held several high-profile summits during Trump’s first term in office. The meetings attracted global attention but did not lead to a lasting agreement on North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.

The two leaders met three times, including a historic meeting in 2019 at the Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea.

Strategic Timing Ahead of Beijing Summit

The missile launches also occurred just days before Trump is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The upcoming meeting is being closely watched as a key moment in the evolving relationship between the United States and China.

While the summit is expected to focus heavily on trade and economic issues, broader geopolitical tensions are likely to shape the discussions.

Washington is increasingly trying to manage competition with China while maintaining stability in global markets and supply chains. The approach reflects a shift toward what analysts describe as “managed rivalry,” where economic cooperation continues even as strategic competition intensifies.