In a provocative move, North Korea fired suspected short-range ballistic missiles from its east coast on Friday, just a day after a joint military exercise between the United States and South Korea. The missiles were launched from the Wonsan region and traveled approximately 185 miles before landing in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed that one of the missiles landed just outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. The missile test has been deemed "a clear provocation" by South Korea, whose military remains prepared to repel potential aggressions by North Korea with the assistance of the United States.

This missile launch comes as part of North Korea's ongoing efforts to strengthen and modernize its arsenal. Diplomatic relations between North Korea and the United States, as well as South Korea, have stalled in recent times. Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the test firing of a new multiple rocket launch system, as reported by the North's state media.

North Korea claims that it has been compelled to bolster its nuclear and missile programs in response to perceived hostilities led by the United States. The country argues that the expanded U.S.-South Korean military training exercises are seen as an invasion rehearsal. Foreign experts believe North Korea uses these drills as a pretext for expanding its weapons arsenal, with the intention of gaining leverage in future negotiations with the U.S.

The joint military exercise conducted on Thursday involved two South Korean F-35As and two U.S. F-22 Raptors, carrying out flights over the central region of South Korea. North Korean state media responded on Friday, stating that the deployment of U.S. F-22s to South Korea represents "another clear proof of the hostile nature of the U.S." The Korean Central News Agency, a mouthpiece for North Korea's government, accused South Korea's "military gangsters" of intensifying tensions to align with their master's confrontation scheme against the North.

Kim Yo Jang, the sister and senior official to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, released a statement affirming that the recent weapons tests are part of a five-year arms buildup plan initiated in 2021. Kim Yo Jang denied outside speculation that the ballistic missiles were intended for sale to Russia, instead stating that they are designed to target South Korea's capital of Seoul. She emphasized that the intent behind these tests is to prevent any perceived threats from South Korea.

As tensions escalate and diplomatic efforts remain stagnant, the international community closely watches North Korea's continuous weapons testing and its impact on the delicate geopolitical situation in the region.