SEOUL — South Korea's military reported North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward its eastern waters early Friday, with the projectile traveling approximately 600 kilometers before landing in the East Sea.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the launch originated from an area near Pyongyang. It marked the first such test in three months, breaking a period of relative quiet.
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command condemned the launch as destabilizing and said it highlighted North Korea's unlawful weapons programs. President Trump's administration immediately began consultations with South Korean and Japanese counterparts to assess the threat and has consistently called for complete denuclearization.
South Korea's National Security Council convened an emergency meeting presided over by President Yoon Suk Yeol. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also condemned the action.
Pyongyang's ballistic missile activity violates multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions. The regime uses such tests to assert military capabilities and pressure the United States and its allies for concessions.
The launch timing is significant: it comes as the United States and South Korea prepare for joint military exercises later this month. North Korea views these drills as invasion rehearsals and typically responds with weapons demonstrations. The test may signal Pyongyang's desire for leverage ahead of the exercises and serves to rally domestic support for its leadership.
U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the Security Council must hold North Korea accountable. The council is expected to discuss the launch in a closed-door session next week. A trilateral meeting between U.S. South Korean, and Japanese defense officials is scheduled for late October in Washington.
