The South Korean military reported that on Wednesday, North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, timed to coincide with joint military drills between the United States and South Korea.
The South Korean military said it was still evaluating Pyongyang’s missile launch.
The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises between the United States and South Korea always enrage Pyongyang, which has launched a record number of weapons tests this year.
Earlier in the day, at least one US B-1B strategic bomber flew over the Korean Peninsula as part of the coordinated air drills.
When word of the launch leaked, US national security spokesperson John Kirby declined to speak to media in Washington.
The United States, South Korea, and Japan also performed a coordinated naval missile defence exercise on Tuesday, which angered North Korea.
In response to the North’s mounting missile provocations, Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo have expanded their defence cooperation in recent months.
Pyongyang attempted to launch a spy satellite into orbit for the second time last week, but it failed.
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