{
  "id": 616252,
  "title": "North Korea fires ballistic missile towards Japan ahead of US-South Korea drills",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/north-korea-fires-ballistic-missile-towards-japan-ahead-of-us-south",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-12T00:56:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2026/08/12/north-korea-fires-ballistic-missile-towards-japan-ahead-of-us-south-korea-drills/230997"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "SEOUL, August 12 - North Korea launched a ballistic missile from its eastern coast toward Japan early today, according to Seoul's military. The missile was launched around 6am from the Wonsan area, targeting the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, the Joint Chiefs of Staff reported to reporters. Japan's Defense Ministry confirmed on social media that the suspected ballistic missile had already fallen, without offering additional information. South Korea and the United States are set to commence 11-day joint military exercises on Monday, a customary part of the summer schedule aimed at reinforcing their defense capabilities against North Korea, which is equipped with nuclear weapons. Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, expresses strong disapproval of these drills, referring to them as rehearsals for an invasion. In the past, North Korea has carried out targeted missile launches both before and after the joint exercises.",
  "summary": "SEOUL, Aug 12 — North Korea fired a ballistic missile off its east coast towards Japan early today, Seoul&rs...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 10,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily NK",
        "title": "North Korea quietly hikes phone prices at the border",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/north-korea-quietly-hikes-phone-prices-at-the-border",
        "published": "2026-08-11T17:46:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Voice of Ukraine",
        "title": "North Korea, China in lockstep on Ukraine war, expert says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/north-korea-china-in-lockstep-on-ukraine-war-expert-says",
        "published": "2026-08-11T20:54:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "North Korea fires off second missile in less than a week",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/north-korea-fires-off-second-missile-in-less-than-a-week",
        "published": "2026-08-11T21:44:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Associated Press",
        "title": "North Korea launches a suspected ballistic missile, Japan’s says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/north-korea-launches-a-suspected-ballistic-missile-japans-says",
        "published": "2026-08-11T21:53:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News (US)",
        "title": "North Korea launches a suspected ballistic missile, Japan’s says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/north-korea-launches-a-suspected-ballistic-missile-japans-says-607911",
        "published": "2026-08-11T22:13:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "North Korea fires ballistic missile over Sea of Japan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/north-korea-fires-ballistic-missile-over-sea-of-japan",
        "published": "2026-08-11T23:05:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "North Korea fires ballistic missile over Sea of Japan: Seoul",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/north-korea-fires-ballistic-missile-over-sea-of-japan-seoul",
        "published": "2026-08-11T23:08:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "North Korea fires ballistic missile over Sea of Japan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/north-korea-fires-ballistic-missile-over-sea-of-japan-615564",
        "published": "2026-08-11T23:14:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "North Korea fired a ballistic missile ahead of major US-South Korean military exercise, army says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/north-korea-fired-a-ballistic-missile-ahead-of-major-us-south-korean",
        "published": "2026-08-12T00:06:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}