South Korea says North Korea has fired a ballistic missile toward its eastern waters a day before a visit by US Vice President Kamala Harris.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile was launched on Wednesday but gave no further details.

It was the second missile launched by North Korea this week.

Japan's coast guard also reported a suspected ballistic missile test.

Harris is to visit the demilitarised zone separating the rival Koreas during her visit to South Korea.

The launch also comes as US and South Korean navy ships are conducting drills off the Korean Peninsula’s east coast.

North Korea has been subjected to UN sanctions since 2006, which the Security Council has steadily – and unanimously – stepped up over the years to cut off funding for its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes.

North Korea rejects UN resolutions as an infringement of its sovereign right to self defence and space exploration, and has criticised military exercises by United States and South Korea as proof of their hostile intentions. (Agencies)