North korea: North Korea on Friday did not report on its launch of a short-range ballistic missile from the previous day, a departure from its usual practice of announcing such launches the following morning.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and the Rodong Sinmun, the most widely read newspaper in the country, had made no mention of the launch as of 8 a.m. This silence is not unprecedented, as Pyongyang has previously withheld reports on launches it considers minor or lacking propaganda value.

South Korea's military detected the missile launch from North Korea's eastern coastal city of Wonsan at around 5 p.m. on Thursday. However, it did not disclose the missile's flight distance and other details, leaving room for speculation about the nature of the test.

The timing of the launch is significant as it came ahead of the Ulchi Freedom Shield, an annual South Korea-U.S. military exercise that Pyongyang has decried as a rehearsal for invasion. This context adds another layer to the event, as North Korea often conducts missile tests in response to military drills by Seoul and Washington.

The North last tested a tactical ballistic missile, along with new multiple rocket launchers and other weapons, on June 25. Thursday's launch marks the 10th missile test by North Korea this year, contributing to ongoing regional tensions.