- North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile towards waters off the eastern coast of the Korean peninsula , Japanese and South Korean officials reported.
- The launch marks Pyongyang 's third ballistic missile test this month, following previous short-range launches on 6 August and 12 August.
- Japan 's defence ministry and coast guard issued warnings for vessels regarding falling debris, noting the projectile appeared to have fallen quickly into the sea.
- The test occurred a day after Kim Yo Jong, sister of Kim Jong Un , dismissed US president Donald Trump 's decision to scale back joint military drills with South Korea as still provocative.
- The joint US-South Korea Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises were scheduled to end six days earlier than planned following a request by US president Donald Trump.
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