North Korea Fires Ballistic Missile Off East Coast, Ahead of US Vice President Kamala Harris's Visit to South Korea

Illustration of North Korea's ballistic missile launch. (Source: KCNA)

JAKARTA - North Korea fired a ballistic missile off its east coast on Wednesday, the South Korean military said, as it and the United States hold joint naval exercises, involving an aircraft carrier and ahead of a visit by Vice President Kamala Harris.

The launch came two days after South Korean and US forces launched military drills, this time held in waters off South Korea's east coast, involving an aircraft carrier, reported Reuters on September 28.

Meanwhile, the Japanese coast guard also reported a suspected ballistic missile test. Citing the Japan Times, Japan's Ministry of Defense also said North Korea fired a ballistic missile on Wednesday night.

It is known, US Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to arrive in the South Korean capital, Seoul, on Thursday after a visit to Japan.

Earlier, North Korea also fired a seaward ballistic missile off its east coast on Sunday.

To note, North Korea has been subject to UN sanctions since 2006, which the Security Council has continued to increase, unanimously over the years, to cut funding for its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

North Korea rejects UN resolutions as a violation of its sovereign rights, to self-defense and space exploration, criticizing military exercises by the United States and South Korea as evidence of their hostile intentions.