North Korea fired at least one ballistic missile on Wednesday, Seoul's military said, its first such launch in months.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the "unidentified" missile flew east.

North Korea last launched ballistic missiles on May 8 when it fired multiple short-range missiles from its east coast.

The launch comes ahead of a visit to South Korea next week by leaders attending an Asia-Pacific economic forum, including President Xi Jinping and US leader Donald Trump.

North Korea, which rejects an international ban backed by the US and South Korea among others on its ballistic missile development, had showcased its latest intercontinental ballistic missile this month at a parade attended by top officials from Russia and China.

Trump has said he hopes to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un again, possibly this year.

Pyongyang has said Kim is open to future talks – with caveats that it will not agree to relinquish its nuclear arsenal. (Agencies)