North Korea fires ballistic missile, foreign minister to visit Russia as tensions with the South spikes
- The South Korean military says the North has fired a suspected intermediate-range ballistic missile towards the East Sea, or the Sea of Japan
- The North’s latest missile launch comes after it staged live-fire exercises near the maritime border with the South
“Our military detected one suspected intermediate-range ballistic missile launched from the Pyongyang area towards the East Sea around at 14:55,” Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement, referring to the body of water also known as the Sea of Japan.
The missile flew 1,000 kilometres (621 miles), the JCS added, saying that authorities in Seoul, Washington and Tokyo were analysing the specifications.
“We strongly condemn the latest missile launch by North Korea as it is a clear provocation that seriously threatens peace and stability on the Korean peninsula,” it said.
“Our military maintains full readiness by closely sharing information related to the launched ‘North Korean missile’ with the US and Japan,” the JCS said.
Japan’s coastguard also confirmed a suspected missile launch by North Korea, citing information from the country’s defence ministry, and warning vessels to take care.