North Korea fires ballistic missile into Sea of Japan

North Korea fired at least one ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan on August 6, South Korea's military confirmed. The launch came after Pyongyang sharply criticized Japan's military buildup in the Pacific.

A 2019 summit between Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump collapsed after failing to reach an agreement on disarmament and lifting sanctions. Pyongyang has since declared itself an "irreversible" nuclear state.

Earlier this week, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Japan's military needs to be "urgently" strengthened, citing the growing threat from China, Russia and North Korea.

On August 5, North Korean state media published a statement by Kim Jong-un's sister, Kim Yo-jong, saying that Japan's military escalation would lead to further military measures by Pyongyang. As a result, a missile test was conducted today, August 6.

According to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), "Our military detected a short-range ballistic missile launched from the Wonsan area of Pyongyang at around 17:00 local time."

The Japanese Ministry of Defense also reported on the X-range ballistic missile launch from North Korea. A later report said the missile did not pose a threat to Japanese territory.

Seoul said it had stepped up surveillance. The South Korean military is prepared for possible new missile launches and is sharing information with its allies, the United States and Japan.

**"New Militarism"**

Analysts say North Korea has recently deepened economic and military ties with Russia. Pyongyang is supplying Moscow with soldiers and weapons for the war in Ukraine. In return, it receives financial assistance, food, energy and military technology.

Pyongyang also considers Seoul, a US ally, to be its "most hostile" official rival. Japan's Defense Ministry declined to comment directly on Kim Yo Jong's criticism. But it said the country's defense capabilities are aimed solely at self-defense.

"Our defense is not for waging war, but for preventing a new war. We will only defend ourselves within the framework of the Constitution and international law," the Japanese ministry said in a statement.

Japan has increased its military spending by 9.7 percent to $62.2 billion in 2025. This is equivalent to 1.4 percent of the country's gross domestic product and is the highest figure since 1958. North Korea last fired several projectiles into waters off the country's west coast on May 26. Among them was at least one short-range ballistic missile.