North Korea conducts ballistic missile test days before US and South Korea begin drills

North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile toward the sea from its eastern coastal Wonsan area on Thursday, resuming weapons tests days before annual military drills between the U.S. and South Korea begin. Following this test, leader Kim Jong Un reinforced the need to bolster the military’s offensive posture as North Korea focuses on enlarging its nuclear and missile arsenals. These actions occur amid heightened tensions regarding joint exercises that rival nations view differently.