North Korea Launches Ballistic Missile as US-South Korea Drills Near

North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward waters off the Korean Peninsula’s east coast on Wednesday, raising regional tensions just days before major US-South Korea military exercises are set to begin. The launch came six days after another ballistic missile was fired from the same area on August 6. The latest North Korea missile launch occurred ahead of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, scheduled for August 17-27. The joint US-South Korea military drills are designed to strengthen readiness against North Korea’s advancing nuclear and missile capabilities. The firing marked North Korea’s 11th suspected ballistic missile test of 2026, according to South Korean assessments.