North Korea launches missiles ahead of annual South Korea drills

South Korean officials reported that Pyongyang launched short-range ballistic missiles off its eastern coast on Thursday, marking the communist state’s first missile launch since late June. The launches came ahead of South Korea’s annual joint military exercises with the United States. The office of Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi released an early morning statement confirming the launch. The Japanese government responded by ensuring its military assets remained secured and ready, according to a separate statement from the office.

Did the missiles cause any damage? The missiles landed in the water off the Korean peninsula’s east coast, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi told reporters at a Thursday briefing. Officials saw no indication of the missiles landing within Japanese territory or damaging any vessels within the vicinity, he added. The minister characterized North Korea's repeated missile launches as a threat to regional peace and security that violated United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The U.S. Pacific Command released a Thursday morning statement acknowledging North Korea’s action. The launch did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel, territory, or its allies, and the United States remained committed to defending its regional allies, the statement added.