North Korea fires ballistic missile towards Japan ahead of US-South Korea drills

North Korea fires ballistic missile towards Japan ahead of US-South Korea drills



The North Korean destroyer Choe Hyon conducts a test-fire of a missile at an undisclosed location in North Korea on April 12, 2026. — AFP pic


Summary

• North Korea launched a ballistic missile off its east coast towards Japan, according to Seoul's military, ahead of upcoming large-scale joint drills between the United States and South Korea.
• The missile, detected from the Wonsan area, reportedly fell into the East Sea, as confirmed by Japan's Defense Ministry.
• The joint exercises, which North Korea views as invasion rehearsals, are scheduled to begin soon, often prompting missile tests from Pyongyang.

First Published: Wednesday, 12 Aug 2026 8:56 AM MYT


SEOUL, Aug 12 — North Korea fired a ballistic missile off its east coast towards Japan early today, Seoul’s military said, just days before the planned start of massive US-South Korea joint drills.


“Our military detected at around 6am a ballistic missile launched by North Korea from the Wonsan area towards the East Sea,” the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a message to reporters, referring to a body of water also known as the Sea of Japan.


Japan’s Defence Ministry said on social media that the suspected ballistic missile had “already fallen”, without providing further details.


Joint exercises between South Korea and the United States lasting 11 days are due to start on Monday, a regular fixture of the summer calendar designed to steel them for defence against the nuclear-armed North.


Pyongyang bristles at the drills—calling them rehearsals for an invasion—and has in the past staged pointed test missile launches before and after the exercises. — AFP

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Pyongyang may be right - any military manoeuvres by the Wankees usually stinks of potential intrusions, interference and invasions - eg. Venezuela, Iraq, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iran, etc etc etc.