South Korean military authorities reported on Sunday, September 20, that an unidentified projectile was launched from North Korea near Wonsan, off the country’s eastern coast. The projectile was confirmed to have fallen into the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea. Japan's defense ministry also reported that North Korea had launched a ballistic missile into the sea, and Japanese public broadcaster NHK noted that the missile landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the launch, stating in a short statement that the projectile had already fallen. The Japanese Prime Minister’s Office confirmed the missile launch, noting on the social media platform X that “one or more suspected ballistic missiles” had been fired from North Korea. The Japanese Ministry of Defense later confirmed that the projectile had fallen, though it provided no further details. In response to the incident, South Korea’s presidential office held an emergency meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) to discuss the situation. This marks the second missile launch from North Korea in just over a week, following a similar test on September 12. The NSC had previously urged North Korea to halt its missile activities, warning that such tests violate United Nations Security Council resolutions. A day before the latest launch, North Korea rejected a resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) condemning its nuclear program, stating it had “no effect” on its stance. North Korea also criticized a recent U.S.-led naval exercise involving South Korea and Japan, which took place near Guam from August 29 to September 10. Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and a key political figure, recently accused U.S.-led military drills of escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula and vowed that North Korea would continue strengthening its nuclear capabilities. This latest missile test follows a similar exercise by North Korea a week earlier, during which it launched several short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, describing the action as part of a “firepower attack exercise.” North Korea has been recognized as a nuclear power since 2023, when its constitution was amended to enshrine its status. The country conducted its first nuclear test in 2006 and has since developed a range of ballistic missiles, which it continues to test despite international condemnation.