South Korea says North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward the sea Wednesday, detected from the Wonsan area at about 6 a.m. Japan reported the projectile did not enter its Exclusive Economic Zone, suggesting it fell farther out to sea. The launch occurred days before the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises begin Aug. 17 — an annual U.S.-South Korea drill that Pyongyang condemns as an invasion rehearsal. North Korea has stepped up weapons testing since high-level diplomacy with the U.S. stalled in 2019.
North Korea Fires Ballistic Missile Toward Sea; Seoul and Tokyo Confirm Launch Ahead of Ulchi Drills
FILE - A North Korean flag flutters in the wind atop a 160-meter tower in North Korea's village Gijungdong as seen from the Taesungdong freedom village inside the demilitarized zone in Paju, South Korea on April 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)
South Korean authorities reported that North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward the sea early Wednesday, marking the second such weapons test in fewer than seven days. The launch was detected from the Wonsan area on North Korea's east coast at about 6 a.m., officials said.
What Happened
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the projectile was launched from the Wonsan coastal region and headed toward the country's eastern waters. Seoul said it raised its surveillance posture after the launch and is closely sharing information with partners in Washington and Tokyo.
Regional Response
Japan's Defense Ministry reported observing a suspected ballistic missile launch from North Korea but said the projectile did not enter Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone, indicating it likely fell farther out to sea. South Korea and its allies continue monitoring the situation for any further activity.
Context
The launch came two days after Seoul and Washington announced their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, scheduled to begin on Monday, Aug. 17, and run for 11 days. South Korea's military said roughly 18,000 South Korean service members will participate, with the overall scale similar to previous years.
North Korea has frequently responded to major South Korea–U.S. military drills with weapons tests and sharp rhetoric, calling such exercises invasion rehearsals and citing them to justify strengthening its nuclear and missile programs. The United States and South Korea say their drills are defensive.
Earlier in the month, on Aug. 6, South Korea, the United States and Japan detected a short-range ballistic missile launch from North Korea — its first ballistic-weapons test since late June. North Korea did not immediately confirm that launch; historically, it often releases details about tests a day later.
Analysts note that North Korea has increased the tempo of weapons testing since high-level diplomacy between leader Kim Jong Un and then-U.S. President Donald Trump faltered in 2019 amid disputes over sanctions relief.
Associated Press reporting contributed to this account.
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