North Korea fires ballistic missile; Japan reports no damage

North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile from its eastern port city of Wonsan around 5 p.m. local time (10 a.m. in Poland), the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) announced. The military stated that South Korean forces have strengthened their surveillance and are cooperating closely with the United States and Japan.

The Japanese Ministry of Defense reported that the missile likely fell outside Japan's exclusive economic zone, and the coast guard detected no damage to any vessels. Tokyo continues to gather data and maintain constant monitoring and readiness. This marks the sixth instance this year of Pyongyang launching a ballistic missile or an object with similar parameters, according to Japanese authorities.

Recent major weapons tests by North Korea include modified 240mm multiple rocket launchers, tactical ballistic missiles, and self-propelled howitzers in late June, observed by leader Kim Jong Un. In early July, Pyongyang tested strategic cruise missiles launched from surface vessels.

The Thursday test followed a sharp statement from Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korea's leader. She accused Japan of transforming into a "war-mongering state" in response to a new Japanese defense white paper that labeled the Kim regime an "urgent threat." The missile test occurred shortly before the planned August Ulchi Freedom Shield military drills between South Korea and the U.S., Yonhap news agency noted.