North Korea Fires Suspected Ballistic Missile Towards East Coast

North Korea Fires Suspected Ballistic Missile Towards East Coast

North Korea fired a suspected ballistic missile towards the sea off its east coast on Saturday, according to South Korea and Japan, marking another missile launch by Pyongyang this year.

South Korea’s military said the missile was launched from the Wonsan area at about 6:30am local time and travelled more than 700 kilometres before apparently landing at sea. Seoul and Washington were analysing the launch, while Japan also said the object appeared to be a ballistic missile.

The launch came a day after North Korea rejected South Korea’s demand for an apology over mines that Seoul said seriously injured two of its soldiers in the Demilitarised Zone. North Korea has conducted more than 10 missile tests this year, with some launches following disputes over joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States.

South Korea’s National Security Council held an emergency meeting following the latest launch, while the military increased surveillance for possible additional tests.