North Korea has released images of artillery and missile attack drills following the detection of several short-range missile launches on 12 September, claiming all weapon systems achieved 100% target accuracy.
On 14 September 2026, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the North Korean military conducted a joint artillery and missile attack drill on 12 September, involving five combined artillery and missile units. The report stated that the exercise used various new weapon systems, including attack drones, tactical cruise missiles, large thermobaric multiple rocket launchers, and tactical loitering missiles.
The report indicated that Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un did not attend the drill, with Park Jong-chon, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, observing the exercise instead. It was claimed that all attack weapon systems fired with 100% accuracy, and the drill demonstrated unity and readiness for simultaneous strikes.
The North Korean announcement came after South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff detected several short-range loitering missile launches from Wonsan on 12 September, heading toward the East Sea. South Korea assessed these as short-range loitering missiles from the Hwasong-11 family, as well as rockets from a large 600mm multiple rocket launcher system.
The North's drill occurred soon after South Korea, the United States, and Japan completed the "Freedom Edge" exercises, a five-day joint drill in international waters east and south of Jeju Island, South Korea, on 13 September. North Korea usually reports missile launches the following day, but this time the report was delayed by one day.
Source: Yonhap