North Korea launched a suspected ballistic missile from its east coast toward the Sea of Japan early Wednesday, marking its second such test in under a week after last Thursday's short-range ballistic launch.
South Korea's military detected the projectile at 6:00 am local time originating from the Wonsan area and flying eastward, while Japan's defence ministry said it landed in the sea.
The launch comes as the United States and South Korea prepare to hold their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises from August 17 to 27, a large-scale joint drill that Pyongyang has long condemned as a rehearsal for invasion. The allies announced the exercises just days ago, prompting warnings from the North.