SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korea fired a ballistic missile towards the east, South Korea's military said on Wednesday without providing further details of the launch.

Earlier, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said the launch was towards the sea off North Korea's east coast. North Korea last launched ballistic missiles on May 8 when it fired multiple short-range missiles from its east coast.

North Korea rejects international ban backed by the U.S. and South Korea among others on its ballistic missile development.

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

North Korea showcased its latest intercontinental ballistic missile this month at a parade attended by the Chinese premier.

(Reporting by Jack Kim; Editing by Himani Sarkar)