The ballistic missile launch was North Korea's first since late June, when it tested a tactical ballistic missile with a "special mission" warhead and other weapons. Thursday's launch also came before large-scale, annual exercises to be conducted by the US and South Korean militaries later this month. South Korean and US officials have not formally released details about 2026's joint exercise, but the drills are typically held in the latter half of August. Experts say Kim wants international recognition as a nuclear state so that he can demand the lifting of international economic sanctions on North Korea. North Korea has supplied conventional weapons and troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine.