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North Korea has launched a ballistic missile into waters off its eastern coast, South Korea’s military says, days before the start of a major joint military exercise between Seoul and Washington.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile was detected at about 6:00 am local time on Wednesday after being fired from the Wonsan area towards the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.
Japan’s Defence Ministry also confirmed the launch, describing the object as a suspected ballistic missile and saying it was believed to have already fallen. Authorities did not provide further details about the missile’s flight path or range.
The launch comes ahead of the annual 11-day US-South Korea military exercise, known as “Ulchi Freedom Shield”, scheduled to begin on Monday. The drills are designed to improve the allies’ readiness against possible threats from North Korea.
Pyongyang has repeatedly criticised the exercises, describing them as preparations for an invasion. North Korea has previously carried out missile tests around the period of the annual drills.
“North Korea has never simply let a South Korea-US joint military exercise pass without a response,” said Lim Eul-chul, a North Korea expert at Kyungnam University.
He added that the launch was a message that Pyongyang was monitoring the upcoming exercises and could take further action if it considered it necessary.
Tensions have also grown between North Korea and Japan, as Pyongyang accuses Tokyo of abandoning its pacifist approach and expanding its military capabilities. Japan has increased defence spending, strengthened security partnerships and deployed missile systems to some outer islands.
The latest missile test also comes as North Korea deepens its military cooperation with Russia. Pyongyang has supported Moscow’s war in Ukraine, with Ukrainian officials accusing Russia of using North Korean missiles in recent attacks.
Experts say North Korea has gained financial and military benefits from its cooperation with Russia, while its troops have gained battlefield experience from deployment in Europe.
The upcoming US-South Korea drills will involve about 18,000 South Korean troops and personnel from the 28,500-strong US military presence in the country.
US and South Korean officials say the training will account for lessons learned by North Korean forces involved in overseas conflicts.
