NORTH KOREA FIRES BALLISTIC MISSILE AHEAD OF US-SOUTH KOREA DRILLS

North Korea fired a ballistic missile from the Wonsan area on its east coast towards the East Sea early on Wednesday, according to Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff and Japan's Defence Ministry. The missile travelled more than 700 kilometres, according to South Korean military officials. Japan's Defence Ministry said the projectile reached a maximum altitude of roughly 56 miles and fell outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities tracked the launch from its initial stage and shared information on the incident.

The launch marked the second ballistic missile test by North Korea in less than a week. Japan's Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi condemned the firing, stating it threatened "the peace and security of our country, the region, and the international community" and violated relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions. Japan lodged a strong protest with North Korea through diplomatic channels at its embassy in Beijing. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command detected the launch and consulted with regional allies and partners, assessing that the event posed no immediate threat to U.S. personnel, territory, or allies. South Korea said it maintained capability and readiness to respond to any provocation.

The firing occurred days before the United States and South Korea are set to begin the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise on Monday, an 11-day joint military drill designed to prepare for evolving threats from North Korea. North Korea has historically staged missile launches before and after such exercises, which it characterises as rehearsals for invasion. Military officials said the drills would focus on preparing for threats from the nuclear-armed state.