North Korea tests missile ahead of US-South Korea drills

Early Wednesday, North Korea launched a ballistic missile from its east coast toward Japan, according to regional neighbors. This marks the second missile test in under a week. The missile was detected around 6:00 am (2100 GMT on Tuesday) originating from the Wonsan area and aimed at the East Sea, as reported by South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi condemned the launch, stating it was a threat to regional peace and security, and lodged a strong protest with North Korea through diplomatic channels in Beijing. He emphasized that the situation poses a significant risk to Japanese safety.

This missile test occurred just two days after the announcement by South Korea and the United States of their annual joint military drills, set to commence on August 17. These exercises serve as coordinated defense preparations against the nuclear-armed North Korea. North Korea has consistently denounced these drills, often conducting missile tests before and after the exercises.

North Korea expert Lim Eul-chul from Kyungnam University noted that Pyongyang closely monitors these drills and may respond with provocations if deemed necessary. Following last year's joint drills, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un claimed the exercises had become more provocative and had prompted North Korea to take "proactive and overwhelming" countermeasures.

In August 2023, the United States, South Korea, and Japan detected a short-range ballistic missile launched by North Korea, marking the first such activity since late June. North Korea typically releases test details a day later, but it did not confirm this launch at the time.