North Korea Fires 10 Missiles Day After Trump Scaled Back US-South Korea Drills

North Korea launched about 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters on August 20, 2026, a day after President Trump ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce the joint Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises with South Korea. Kim Yo-jong dismissed the reduction as unworthy of comment, warning the US would "not get the desired answer." South Korea's national security council convened an emergency meeting; Japan also detected the launches.