North Korea fires short-range ballistic missile into east coast waters

Seoul,UPDATED: Aug 6, 2026 14:40 IST

North Korea on Thursday launched a short-range ballistic missile towards waters off its east coast, according to South Korea's military, in the latest in a series of weapons tests by Pyongyang this year.

South Korea said it detected the launch from the eastern coastal city of Wonsan at about 5 pm. Japan's Defence Ministry also said North Korea fired a possible ballistic missile, adding that there was no impact in or around Japan.

In a statement, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the military had strengthened its surveillance posture and was closely coordinating with the United States and Japan following the launch.

North Korea has been focused on expanding its nuclear and missile arsenals since leader Kim Jong Un's high-stakes diplomacy with US President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019. Experts say Kim wants international recognition for North Korea as a nuclear state so that he can seek the lifting of international economic sanctions.

Last month, Kim oversaw tests of a nuclear-capable cruise missile and other weapons aboard a new 5,000-tonne destroyer. After years of giving priority to ballistic missile development, he has increasingly shifted attention to naval capabilities, including the building of a nuclear-powered submarine.

At the Workers' Party congress in February, Kim also called for intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of underwater launches. In recent years, he has also widened North Korea's ties with Russia, with the country supplying conventional weapons and troops to support Russia's war against Ukraine.

The latest launch comes as North Korea continues to expand its missile and naval programmes, while also deepening its diplomatic and military links with Russia.

With PTI Inputs

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