(LEAD) N. Korea fires at least 1 ballistic missile toward East Sea: S. Korean military

Seoul, August 12 - North Korea launched at least one ballistic missile towards the East Sea on Wednesday, according to South Korea's military. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported the missile launch from the Wonsan area on the country's east coast around 6 a.m. The JCS has intensified surveillance and vigilance in anticipation of additional potential launches.

South Korea, the United States, and Japan are currently maintaining a heightened state of readiness by closely sharing intelligence regarding North Korea's ballistic missile launches. This latest launch follows a previous one six days ago, where North Korea reportedly fired a short-range missile towards the East Sea. The ongoing missile launches come as South Korea and the U.S. are set to commence their annual combined military exercise next week.

Pyongyang has vociferously condemned the allied drills as war rehearsals and has conducted its own weapons tests during the training period to protest against the exercises.