North Korea fires ballistic missile toward sea, Seoul says

South Korea says North Korea has fired a ballistic missile toward its eastern waters.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the launch took place on Friday but gave no further details, including how far the weapon flew.

The launch, the latest in a series of weapons tests by North Korea in recent weeks, came as South Korea is wrapping up an annual military drill that Pyongyang views as an invasion rehearsal.

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The launches were the latest in a record year of tests from North Korea – including short-range missiles and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, the short-range ballistic missiles were fired from North Korea's Gangwon province.

It comes just four days after the two countries exchanged warning shots off the west coast of the peninsula.

"Our military is maintaining full readiness posture," the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

They also added they had increased monitoring and security, working closely with the US.