North Korea Fires Second Ballistic Missile Test in Week

North Korea launched a ballistic missile on Wednesday, marking its second test in less than a week, as South Korea and the United States prepare to commence their annual joint military exercises next week. The missile, identified by Pyongyang as a short‑range ballistic projectile, was fired from a site in the country’s western region and followed a trajectory that landed in the sea off its eastern coast. No casualties were reported, and the launch was confirmed by state media and monitored by regional defense agencies.

The timing of the launch underscores Pyongyang’s stated opposition to the upcoming drills, which it characterises as a rehearsal for a potential invasion of the Korean Peninsula. Analysts note that the missile test aligns with a pattern of heightened rhetoric and weapons testing by North Korea whenever allied forces schedule large‑scale exercises in the region. As the drills approach, diplomatic channels remain active, with both Seoul and Washington emphasizing the defensive nature of the maneuvers while urging restraint from all parties.