North Korea Tests Missile Ahead of US-South Korea Drills

North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile off its east coast toward Japan early Wednesday, according to its neighbors, just days before U.S.-South Korea joint military drills that Pyongyang views as invasion rehearsals. This marks the second such test in less than a week.

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Our military detected at around 6:00 am (2100 GMT on Tuesday) a ballistic missile launched by North Korea from the Wonsan area towards the East Sea.

Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff reported detecting the launch from the Wonsan area around 6:00 a.m. local time. Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi called the launch a "threat to peace and security in our region" and stated Tokyo had lodged a strong protest with North Korea through diplomatic channels in Beijing, emphasizing it "is a serious problem that affects the safety of the Japanese people."

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It's a serious problem that affects the safety of the Japanese people.

The missile was estimated to have fallen outside Japan's exclusive economic zone in the Sea of Japan. Japan's prime minister instructed a complete state of readiness, though no damage has been reported. The launch follows a previous test of a short-range ballistic missile on August 6.

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North Korea has never simply let a South Korea-U.S. joint military exercise pass without a response.

North Korea has frequently condemned the upcoming joint drills, often staging missile tests before and after the exercises. Experts note that North Korea "has never simply let a South Korea-U.S. joint military exercise pass without a response." This launch is seen as a message that Pyongyang is closely watching the drills and could stage a provocation if deemed necessary. The U.S. and South Korea are set to begin their annual joint military drills on August 17, designed to coordinate their defense against the nuclear-armed North.

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This is a message that Pyongyang is closely watching the upcoming drills and could stage a provocation if it deems one necessary.