(LEAD) N. Korea fires short-range ballistic missile toward East Sea: military

SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile into the East Sea on Thursday, according to South Korea's military. The Joint Chiefs of Staff reported the missile was fired from the eastern coastal region of Wonsan around 5 p.m. The exact number of missiles launched remains undisclosed. In response to the potential for further launches, the military has heightened its monitoring and surveillance, while maintaining a high state of readiness.

The JCS is also sharing pertinent information with the United States and Japan. This latest missile test follows a series of weapons demonstrations conducted by North Korea, including a tactical ballistic missile test on June 25 overseen by leader Kim Jong-un. The missile launches occurred during the 76th anniversary of the start of the 1950-53 Korean War, seemingly intended to showcase North Korea's capability to target key South Korean facilities.