#North Korea

In its defense budget request for fiscal year 2027, Japan has for the first time separately highlighted the development of a hypersonic missile for underwater launch. Tokyo is considering both ballistic and cruise variants and is simultaneously discussing nuclear-powered submarines.

At a UN General Assembly session, the Permanent Representative of South Korea stated that the military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK violates Security Council resolutions and prolongs the war in Ukraine.

According to the GUR of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, Russia is in negotiations with North Korea over the supply of KN-30 ballistic missiles, which, per intelligence assessments, are three times more powerful than the KN-23 and KN-24. The specific volumes of aid, according to Kyiv, will be agreed upon at the September meeting of the leaders.

Trump confirmed his desire to meet with Kim Jong Un in autumn, and North Korea gave a positive response to the talks. Against this backdrop, anxiety is growing in Seoul over statements about the reduction of joint US–South Korea military exercises.

Pyongyang responded to the reduction of U.S.–South Korea exercises with a volley of ballistic missiles and a hardline statement by Kim Yo-jong, rejecting Washington's proposals and cementing the DPRK's nuclear status.

The Ministry of National Defense of South Korea reported that North Korea is preparing a new troop transfer to Russia. The number of North Korean military personnel in the Russian Federation has reached 8,500, and the volume of shells delivered has exceeded 15 million. At the same time, no signs of an immediate deployment have been detected.

On August 19, 2026, Japan proposed a record defense budget of 8.9 trillion yen (about 60 billion dollars). Through KCNA, Pyongyang called it 'preparation for war' and criticized the deployment of Tomahawk missiles.

North Korea's KN-30 missile, carrying two warheads on a single five-axle chassis, completed a 600 km test. Experts are debating whether the 4.5-ton heavy variant could become a threat to Ukraine.

ISW, citing GUR, reported the deployment of launchers for North Korean ballistic missiles KN-23/KN-24/KN-30 in the Voronezh region. From the new positions, seven Ukrainian oblasts are within range.

Kim Yo-jong said she "knows nothing" about Pyongyang's contacts with Washington, but confirmed her brother's warm relations with Trump. On the same day, Trump confirmed plans for a meeting, while Pyongyang rejected the gesture of shortening the drills.

Donald Trump is considering a meeting with Kim Jong Un in November in Shenzhen. Experts assess the chances of success skeptically, pointing to the growth of North Korea's nuclear arsenal and the change in the geopolitical balance.

🇺🇸 Trump stated that Kim Jong Un responded to his call for dialogue and 'always treated him with respect.' This occurred after the reduction of U.S. and South Korean military exercises. 🤝 Pyongyang previously threatened 'self-defense' due to the exercises. 📉 No details provided — but this is the first signal of a possible resumption of contacts since 2021. #Trump #KimJongUn #NorthKorea #Diplomacy #NuclearProgram

🚨 Trump ordered a reduction in military exercises with South Korea for Kim Jong Un. Seoul responded diplomatically but shifted focus to the Middle East. What lies behind this gesture of goodwill? 🇺🇸🇰🇷🇮🇷

🇺🇸 Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to reduce military exercises with South Korea, citing "friendship" with Kim Jong Un. 🇰🇵 The US President called the exercises a "hostile signal" and too expensive. The decision has raised questions in Seoul, where provocations on the border were recently recorded. 🇰🇷 #Trump #DPRK #MilitaryExercises #Politics

🚨 <strong>Border violation on the Korean Peninsula!</strong> For the first time in 2026, South Korean military personnel fired warning shots. A group of North Korean soldiers crossed the demarcation line on the eastern front but retreated after the gunfire. 📉 <strong>Statistics:</strong> • 2026: 1 violation (first case). • 2025: 17 violations. 🇰🇵 Pyongyang has not yet commented on the incident, but experts link the activity to the "hostile states" doctrine. #Korea #DMZ #Military #Yonhap

🚨 Incident on the DPRK-ROK border: South Korean military fired the first warning shots of 2026 after a group of North Korean soldiers crossed the border. North Koreans retreated, but Pyongyang continues to threaten nuclear war against the backdrop of US-ROK exercises. 🇰🇷🇰🇵

🇰🇷 South Korea has proposed ending the 76-year war with North Korea. President Lee Jae-myung called for a peace treaty, but Pyongyang, having strengthened its alliance with Russia and gained combat experience in Ukraine, is unlikely to agree. 🚀 Missile launches by the North continue.

🇺🇸 Donald Trump posted an archive photo with Kim Jong Un on Korea's Liberation Day, stating: "We get along great." 🇰🇷 South Korean President Lee Jae-myung called for the signing of a peace treaty to end the 1950–1953 war. 🌍 North Korea, receiving support from Russia and China, strengthened its military potential and carried out its 11th missile launch in 2026. ⚠️ US and South Korean military exercises begin on August 17, increasing escalation risks. 🕊️ The international community calls for dialogue and restraint.