North Korea fires a ballistic missile toward East Sea

North Koirean missiles exhibited during a military parade held in Pyongyang earlier this month. [YONHAP]

North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward the East Sea on Saturday, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Details on the missile have not been disclosed yet.

The missile launch comes ahead of the Korea-U.S. joint military exercise Freedom Shield scheduled to take place next month.

The South Korean military reported to the National Assembly Friday that the joint military exercise will be held for 11 days starting March 3.

North Korea, through its foreign ministry on Friday, warned that it will take “unprecedented” measures if the joint exercise between South Korea and the U.S. goes ahead as it will see it as a preparation for an invasion.

The missile launch was the second provocation by North Korea this year.

North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile around 3 a.m. on Jan. 1 toward the East Sea.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]