{
  "id": 624631,
  "title": "North Korea fires second ballistic missile in a week ahead of US-South Korea war drills",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/north-korea-fires-second-ballistic-missile-in-a-week-ahead-of-us",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-12T02:20:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/defence/international/north-korea-fires-second-ballistic-missile-in-a-week-ahead-of-us-south-korea-war-drills/articleshow/133168025.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "North Korea launched a ballistic missile over the weekend, marking its second such test in under a week ahead of upcoming US-South Korea military drills. The missile was fired from the Wonsan area on the eastern coast of North Korea and traveled over 700 kilometers before landing in international waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. Japan's defense ministry detected the launch and reported that the missile reached a maximum altitude of around 90 kilometers. This comes two days after the start of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises between South Korea and the United States, which aim to strengthen readiness against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. North Korea has condemned the exercises as rehearsals for an invasion, while the US and South Korea say their military training is defensive. Seoul and Tokyo called the latest launch an act of provocation and urged Pyongyang to cease activities that violate UN Security Council resolutions. The missile launch is the second since August 6, when North Korea reportedly tested a short-range ballistic missile, following its first ballistic weapons test in nearly three months. Experts suggest that North Korea's continued weapons testing and expansion of its missile arsenal may be an attempt to strengthen its negotiating position with the United States, particularly in future discussions over sanctions. The launch also comes amid North Korea's growing ties with Russia and China, with Pyongyang providing support to Russia's war in Ukraine and strengthening its relationship with China.",
  "summary": "North Korea launched a ballistic missile towards the sea on Wednesday. This marks Pyongyang's second reported missile test in less than a week. South Korea and Japan condemned the launch as a provocation. Major US-South Korea military exercises are scheduled to begin soon. North Korea continues its weapons testing program amid international concerns.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}