North Korea launches ballistic missile, threatens ‘fiercer’ military response

The latest missile test comes on the back of expanded military exercises between the US and South Korea

• Korean tensions explained in 30 seconds

North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile Thursday toward its eastern waters, South Korea's military said, hours after the North threatened to launch fiercer" military responses to the US bolstering its security commitment to its allies South Korea and Japan.

South Korea's military detected the launch from the North's eastern coastal Wonsan area at 10:48am local time, the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. It said South Korea has boosted its surveillance of North Korea while maintaining a military readiness and a close coordination with the United States.