N Korea fires ballistic missile in the direction of sea, say S Korea, Japan

Launch comes days after North Korea test-fired a suspected ICBM into the Sea of Japan.

North Korea has fired a ballistic missile in the direction of the ocean off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula, the Yonhap information company reported, citing South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

The JSC didn’t instantly present specifics on Sunday’s launch.

The Japan Coast Guard additionally mentioned what was fired by North Korea might be a ballistic missile.

The launch comes after North Korea fired a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the ocean between the Korean peninsula and Japan on Thursday, hours earlier than South Korea’s president flew to Tokyo for a summit that mentioned methods to counter their nuclear-armed neighbour.

North Korean state media described the launch of the Hwasong 17 as a response to the ongoing, “frantic” joint drills by South Korea and the United States.

Seoul and Washington have ramped up safety cooperation after a 12 months of record-breaking North Korean weapons assessments and nuclear threats.

Pyongyang views all such workout routines as rehearsals for invasion.

Last 12 months, North Korea declared itself an “irreversible” nuclear energy, and chief Kim Jong Un not too long ago referred to as for an “exponential” improve in weapons manufacturing, together with tactical nuclear weapons.