North Korea Fires Short-Range Ballistic Missile Ahead of U.S.–South Korea Joint Drills

On Thursday, North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile from Wonsan. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported detection at about 5 p.m. local time and that the missile landed in the sea off North Korea’s east coast. Japan’s Ministry of Defense confirmed the projectile fell well outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone, with no damage reported.

Daily StarNorth Korea fires ballistic missile ahead of US-South Korea drills Associated PressNorth Korea Launches Ballistic Missile Ahead of US-South Korea Military Drills

The launch follows a series of weapons tests that began in late June, when Pyongyang fired a tactical ballistic missile with a “special mission” warhead. Leader Kim Jong Un has emphasized strengthening the military’s offensive posture.

Daily StarNorth Korea fires ballistic missile ahead of US-South Korea drills North Korea Launches Ballistic Missile Ahead of US-South Korea Military Drills Associated Press

Since 2019, North Korea has expanded its nuclear and missile programs and deepened ties with Russia and China, including a visit by President Xi Jinping in June.

North Korea fires ballistic missile ahead of US-South Korea drills

• South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile launch was detected at 5 p.m. and that the military has heightened surveillance while coordinating with the United States and Japan.

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• Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi reported the missile landed in waters off North Korea’s east coast, noting no weapon reached Japanese territory and that Tokyo lodged a protest through its embassies in Beijing.

Associated Press

• South Korea’s National Security Council labeled the launch a “provocation” that violates United Nations Security Council resolutions and urged North Korea to cease such actions.

Associated Press

• U.S. and South Korean officials reiterated that the upcoming joint exercises are defensive, despite North Korea’s characterization of the drills as a rehearsal for invasion.

Associated Press

• United Nations Security Council resolutions prohibit North Korea from conducting launches involving its ballistic-missile arsenal, a restriction the launch breaches.

Daily Star

• Missile type: short-range ballistic missile.

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• Launch site: Wonsan, North Korea’s eastern coast.

Associated Press

• Detection time: around 5 p.m. local time (Thursday).

North Korea Launches Ballistic Missile Ahead of US-South Korea Military Drills

• Impact: missile fell in the sea off North Korea’s east coast; no debris or damage reported in Japan’s waters.

Daily Star

The launch, occurring days before the United States and South Korea begin their annual joint exercises, underscores Pyongyang’s pattern of using missile tests to signal opposition to drills it views as invasion rehearsals. It also constitutes a direct violation of UN Security Council resolutions, highlighting challenges for sanctions in curbing North Korea’s weapons development. Regional actors, including Japan, have expressed heightened concern over the missile’s trajectory and broader security implications for the Korean Peninsula.

Daily StarNorth Korea fires ballistic missile ahead of US-South Korea drills Associated PressNorth Korea Launches Ballistic Missile Ahead of US-South Korea Military Drills

The United States and South Korea are scheduled to hold their annual joint drills later this month, typically in the second half of August. Both sides have indicated the exercises will proceed as planned, maintaining a defensive posture despite North Korea’s recent provocation.

Associated Press