ISTANBUL

Japan and South Korea said North Korea fired another suspected ballistic missile on Saturday, its third launch this week.

“North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile,” the Japanese premier’s office said on Twitter.

South Korea’s military also confirmed the launch but “did not provide other details,” according to the Yonhap News Agency.

Earlier this week, Pyongyang fired a ballistic missile that flew over Japan, the first such instance in five years.

North Korea has ramped up missile launches and drills in response to separate and joint military exercises in the region by South Korea, Japan, and the US.

Pyongyang has defended its actions as “regular and planned” defensive measures against “the US’ direct military threats.”