--- title: "North Korea launches two missiles; US, Japan, S. Korea hold talks" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/north-korea-launches-two-missiles-us-japan-s-korea-hold-talks" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/north-korea-launches-two-missiles-us-japan-s-korea-hold-talks" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/north-korea-launches-two-missiles-us-japan-s-korea-hold-talks.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/north-korea-launches-two-missiles-us-japan-s-korea-hold-talks" category: "Conflict & Security" area: "Asia-Pacific" published: "2026-09-21T19:05:12.921Z" source_reported: "2026-09-21T18:06:43.000Z" updated: "2026-09-21T19:05:12.921Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 57 hype_score: 41 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-21T23:45:17.656259+00:00" --- # North Korea launches two missiles; US, Japan, S. Korea hold talks *Diplomats from the three nations discussed responses to Pyongyang's latest ballistic missile test.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claims attributed to named bodies, with two independent outlets and specific dates and locations. - Craft 57 of 100, higher is better. Quotes or right of reply given for affected parties, and facts kept separate from comment. - Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headline promises more than the body delivers, with mild emphasis and a lively but fair headline. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles on Sunday, September 20, 2026. - The launches were North Korea's 14th ballistic missile test of 2026 and the first in eight days. - Senior diplomats from South Korea, the United States, and Japan held telephone consultations on Monday, September 21, 2026. - The consultations focused on sharing information and discussing responses to the missile launches. North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Sunday, September 20, 2026. This was the country's 14th ballistic missile launch of the year and the first in eight days. The launches occurred in apparent response to multinational maritime exercise Pacific Vanguard and other regional military activities, according to reports. Following the launches, senior diplomats from South Korea, the United States, and Japan held telephone consultations on Monday, September 21, 2026. The purpose of these consultations was to share information and discuss potential responses to North Korea's actions. The foreign ministries of the three countries maintain channels for prompt information sharing regarding such events. ## Differing accounts of diplomatic meetings Reports from Interfax.ru and anews.com.tr state that the consultations between the US, Japan, and South Korea took place "on the fields" of the UN General Assembly. However, The Korea Times and other reports indicate the consultations were held via telephone. ## Omissions in coverage None of the right-rated reports mention that the launches appeared to be in response to multinational maritime exercise Pacific Vanguard and other regional military activities. The left-rated reports and the centre-rated report included this detail. ## Who covered it Shares of the 10 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 20% (2) - Centre: 20% (2) - Right: 60% (6) 12 of 22 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-21T23:45:17.656259+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 18 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-22T00:30:25.754Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The left-rated reports focused on the consultations between South Korea, the US, and Japan following North Korea's missile launches. The Korea Times reported that Seoul's foreign ministry stated the three nations held telephone consultations to share information and discuss responses. Fakti.bg also reported on these consultations, noting that the diplomats discussed possible countermeasures after the launches. ### Centre - The centre-rated report from Kyodo News+ highlighted the reaffirmation of commitment to North Korea's denuclearization by Japan, the US, and South Korea. While it mentioned the missile launches, the primary focus was on the diplomatic outcome of the trilateral discussions, which included calls for Pyongyang to resume dialogue. ### Right - Right-rated reports led with the missile launches and the subsequent emergency trilateral talks. Armed Forces Press stated North Korea fired two ballistic missiles in response to Pacific Vanguard exercises, leading to emergency talks. Focus.de reported on the launches and the response of criticism and consultation from South Korea, Japan, and the US. Interfax.ru reported that the US, Japan, and South Korea stressed their readiness to resist the DPRK's nuclear programme and work towards denuclearization, though it incorrectly named the officials involved. **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - low: 1 - mixed: 5 - high: 4 - unknown: 11 - veryHigh: 1 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [FNN.jpプライムオンライン](https://fnn.jp/articles/-/1118820) — Secretary of State Rubio and Other Foreign Ministers From Japan, the US, and South Korea Issue Joint Statement Directly Demanding North Korea "Resumption of Dialogue" - [Thought Catalog](https://thoughtcatalog.com/jeremy-london/2026/09/days-after-calling-denuclearization-hopefuls-idiots-north-korea-fired-two-ballistic-missiles-off-its-eastern-coast) — Days After Calling Denuclearization Hopefuls “Idiots,” North Korea Fired Two Ballistic Missiles Off Its Eastern Coast - [asiae.co.kr](https://asiae.co.kr/article/2026092204114859431) — South Korea, the U.S., and Japan Reaffirm North Korea's Complete Denuclearization... "Path to Dialogue Open" - [Aydınlık](https://aydinlik.com.tr/haber/abd-japonya-ve-guney-koreden-ortak-aciklama-hedefte-kdhc-var-591086) — Joint Statement From the US, Japan, and South Korea! North Korea Targeted. - [korean-vibe.com](https://korean-vibe.com/news/newsview.php?ncode=179518360964928) — (LEAD) Top S. Korean, U.S., Japanese Diplomats Reaffirm N.K. Denuclearization Commitment, Urge Pyongyang to Resume Dialogue - [Interfax.ru](https://interfax.ru/world/1117568) — The United States, Japan and South Korea Have Expressed Their Commitment to the DPRK ' S Nuclear Disarmament - [Kyodo News+](https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/85860) — BREAKING NEWS: Japan, U.S., S. Korea reaffirm commitment to N. Korea's denuclearization - [armedforces.press](https://armedforces.press/the-pacific-theater/2026/09/21/north-korea-fires-two-ballistic-missiles-toward-east-sea-seoul-washington-and-tokyo-hold-emergency-trilateral-talks) — North Korea Fires Two Ballistic Missiles Toward East Sea — Seoul, Washington, And Tokyo Hold Emergency Trilateral Talks - Armed Forces Press - [anews.com.tr](https://anews.com.tr/americas/2026/09/21/us-japan-and-south-korea-hold-talks-on-north-koreas-latest-missile-launches) — US, Japan and South Korea hold talks on North Korea’s latest missile launches - [focus.de](https://focus.de/politik/ausland/nordkorea-feuert-am-20-september-2026-binnen-drei-stunden-zwei-mutmassliche-ballistische-raketen-nahe-wonsan-ab-suedkorea-japan-und-die-usa-reagieren_eaf13321-86f2-4380-a987-ffca0068cd65.html) — North Korea Fires Two Suspected Ballistic Missiles Near Wonsan Within Three Hours on September 20, 2026: South Korea, Japan and the USA Respond - [fakti.bg](https://fakti.bg/world/1082478-ujna-korea-sasht-i-aponia-obsajdat-otvetni-merki-sled-balistichnite-raketi-na-severna-korea) — South Korea, US and Japan Discuss Countermeasures After North Korea's Ballistic Missiles - [Haberler](https://haberler.com/guncel/guney-kore-abd-ve-japonya-kuzey-kore-nin-iki-20256371-haberi) — South Korea, the United States, and Japan Discussed North Korea's Launch of Two Ballistic Missiles. - [Unknown](https://chosun.com/politics/diplomacy-defense/2026/09/22/MQDPYOI7FVF2NHS5DLXNUECJ4E) — North Korea’s Ballistic Missile Provocation, Already the 14th This Year Alone… Trilateral Consultations Held by South Korea, the U.S., and Japan - [The Munsif Daily](https://munsifdaily.com/south-korea-us-japan-hold-consultations-over) — South Korea, US, Japan hold consultations over North Korea's latest missile launches - [TRT World](https://trtworld.com/article/6124e87379d7) — US, South Korea and Japan discuss response after North Korea missile launches - [Amar Ujala](https://amarujala.com/world/tensions-following-kim-new-missile-test-us-japan-and-south-korea-alert-what-did-foreign-ministry-say-2026-09-21) — Tensions Rise After Kim Launches New Missile: US, Japan, and South Korea on Alert; What Did the Foreign Ministry Say? - [Indian Abroad News - We Bring You Home](https://indianabroad.news/south-korea-us-japan-hold-consultations-over-north-koreas-latest-missile-launches) — South Korea, US, Japan hold consultations over North Korea's latest missile launches - [Social News XYZ](https://socialnews.xyz/2026/09/21/south-korea-us-japan-hold-consultations-over-north-koreas-latest-missile-launches) — South Korea, US, Japan hold consultations over North Korea’s latest missile launches - [BizToc](https://biztoc.com/x/21eff280060560ac) — US, Japan, S. Korea talk about N. Korea's missiles - [The Korea Times](https://koreatimes.co.kr/foreignaffairs/20260921/s-korea-us-japan-hold-consultations-over-n-koreas-latest-missile-launches) — S. Korea, US, Japan Hold Consultations over N. Korea's Latest Missile Launches - [연합뉴스-Yonhap News Agency](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260921002600315) — S. Korea, U.S., Japan hold consultations over N. Korea's latest missile launches - [donga.com](https://donga.com/news/Politics/article/all/20260921/134708494/1) — South Korea, the U.S., and Japan Consult on Response to North Korea's Ballistic Missile Launch... Sharing Intelligence and Situation Assessments ## Questions **When did North Korea launch the missiles?** North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Sunday, September 20, 2026. This was the country's 14th ballistic missile launch of the year and the first in eight days. **Who held consultations after the missile launches?** Senior diplomats from South Korea, the United States, and Japan held telephone consultations on Monday, September 21, 2026. The purpose was to share information and discuss responses to North Korea's actions. **Why did North Korea launch the missiles?** The launches appeared to be in response to multinational maritime exercise Pacific Vanguard and other regional military activities. This context was reported by left-rated and centre-rated outlets. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/conflict/north-korea-launches-two-missiles-us-japan-s-korea-hold-talks. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "North Korea launches two missiles; US, Japan, S. Korea hold talks", https://mediabias.news/conflict/north-korea-launches-two-missiles-us-japan-s-korea-hold-talks