North Korea Fires Second Missile Before US Drills
North Korea Fires Second Missile Before US Drills
The News
North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward the sea off its east coast on Wednesday, South Korea and Japan said, marking Pyongyang's second such weapons test in less than a week. The launch came as the United States and South Korea prepare to begin their annual military drills.
Timeline
South Korea's military and Japan's Defense Ministry both reported the launch Wednesday. Japan's Defense Ministry said the missile was believed to have fallen outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.
The test follows another ballistic missile launch by North Korea less than a week earlier. Pyongyang has conducted a series of tests this year, including short-range ballistic missiles, artillery rockets and other tactical weapons.
Reactions
Analysts and officials cast the launch as a likely protest against the upcoming US-South Korea military exercises. The Associated Press reported the test was widely seen as Pyongyang's objection to the annual drills, which North Korea has long condemned as rehearsals for invasion.
What's Next
The United States and South Korea are set to begin their annual joint military exercises. North Korea has historically responded to the drills with additional weapons tests and heightened rhetoric.
More
The repeated launches add to a year of stepped-up North Korean testing and keep pressure on Washington, Seoul and Tokyo as the exercises approach.
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