North Korea has remained silent over its latest short-range ballistic missile launch, breaking from its usual practice of announcing such tests through state media the following day.
As of 8am on Friday, neither the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) nor the country’s main newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, had reported on Thursday’s missile launch.
However, this is not the first time Pyongyang has withheld information on weapons tests it considers routine or of limited propaganda value.
South Korea’s military said it detected the missile launch at around 5pm on Thursday from the eastern coastal city of Wonsan. Officials did not disclose details such as the missile’s flight distance or impact location.
The launch comes ahead of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercise between South Korea and the United States, which North Korea has repeatedly condemned as a rehearsal for an invasion.
Pyongyang last conducted a tactical ballistic missile test on June 25, alongside trials involving new multiple rocket launchers and other weapons systems.
Thursday’s launch marks North Korea’s 10th missile test of the year, continuing a series of weapons demonstrations despite ongoing regional tensions.
