- Short-range missile launch detected around Wonsan, Gangwon Province at approx. 5 PM on the 6th
- Resumption of ballistic missile armed demonstration in a month and a half since June 25
- Forced through just a day after Kim Yo-jong released a statement denouncing Japan, warning of "additional military options"
- Analyzed as a preemptive check against the upcoming mid-month ROK-US joint exercise 'Ulchi Freedom Shield'

North Korea has resumed armed provocations after 42 days by firing a short-range ballistic missile from the Wonsan area in Gangwon Province toward the East Sea. This is interpreted as a multi-purpose armed demonstration heavily carrying the nature of a backlash against the upcoming ROK-US joint exercises and Japan's recent cruise missile test launch.

According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, our military detected one short-range ballistic missile fired from the Wonsan area of North Korea toward the East Sea at approximately 5 PM on the 6th. ROK-US intelligence authorities have been tracking and sharing related trends from the early stages of the launch, and are closely cooperating with Japan regarding ballistic missile information. Precise analysis is currently underway regarding the exact specifications, such as the flight distance and altitude of the projectile.

This ballistic missile launch comes 42 days after the test launch of improved multiple rocket launchers and tactical ballistic missiles on June 25 (the 76th anniversary of the Korean War). North Korea has been frequently carrying out provocations by weapon system, such as launching a strategic cruise missile from a 5,000-ton class destroyer early last month.

Military experts point to pressure tactics targeting South Korea, the U.S., and Japan simultaneously as the background of this provocation. The analysis suggests it is a preemptive retaliatory measure against the regular ROK-US joint exercise, 'Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS)', scheduled to start in mid-August, as well as follow-up action to the anti-Japan warning statement issued the previous day by Workers' Party Department Director Kim Yo-jong.

In her statement on the 5th, Vice Department Director Kim strongly condemned the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's test launch of Tomahawk cruise missiles and threatened that "we will additionally establish clear military options."

Based on the ROK-US combined defense posture, our military is closely monitoring signs of additional provocations by North Korea and maintaining a full readiness posture.