North Korea fired what appeared to be a ballistic missile toward the sea on Wednesday, according to Japanese and South Korean officials, marking Pyongyang’s second reported weapons launch in less than a week.
Japan’s Defense Ministry said the suspected ballistic missile had landed in waters after being launched from North Korea.
South Korea’s military also detected the launch, with Yonhap news agency reporting that an unidentified projectile was fired from North Korea’s east coast.
The latest launch comes just days before South Korea and the United States are scheduled to begin their annual large-scale Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises.
The drills are designed to strengthen the allies’ military readiness against potential threats from North Korea. Pyongyang, however, has repeatedly condemned the exercises, describing them as rehearsals for an invasion.
North Korea has frequently responded to major U.S.-South Korean military exercises with missile launches, weapons tests and strongly worded statements.
Last week, South Korea, the United States and Japan detected what they said was the launch of a North Korean short-range ballistic missile. It was Pyongyang’s first reported ballistic missile test since late June.
North Korea did not publicly confirm last week’s launch, despite typically releasing details about major weapons tests shortly after they take place.
Wednesday’s launch is expected to further heighten tensions on the Korean Peninsula as Washington and Seoul prepare to begin their joint military exercises.
