North Korea Fires Suspected Ballistic Missile Toward Sea of Japan

North Korea fired at least one suspected ballistic missile on August 20, which travelled approximately 440 kilometres and reached an altitude of around 60 kilometres before landing in the Sea of Japan outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. Japan and South Korea confirmed the launch, with both countries heightening surveillance and coordinating with the United States. The event marks the ninth ballistic missile or suspected ballistic missile launch by North Korea this year, according to Japan's Ministry of Defence.