Seoul: North Korea launched one suspected short-range ballistic missile toward the East Sea (Sea of Japan) on Friday, South Korea's military reported, following North Korea's warning of taking measures against recent US sanctions on Pyongyang.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) detected the launch from near Taegwan County in North Phyongan Province at 12:35 p.m. (0325 GMT). The missile traveled approximately 700 km before landing in the sea. Further analysis is ongoing with US cooperation to ascertain the missile's specifications.
South Korean and US intelligence had observed signs of missile launch preparations in North Korea prior to the event and were closely monitoring the situation. Relevant information has been shared with the US and Japan.
The launch follows North Korea's previous firing of short-range ballistic missiles northeastward on October 22, ahead of South Korea's hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit and US President Donald Trump's visit.
This recent missile launch came a day after North Korea criticized the US for imposing sanctions on eight North Korean individuals and two entities involved in cybercrime-related money laundering. North Korea accused the US sanctions of confirming Washington's hostile policy towards Pyongyang and vowed to respond with proper measures.
The US State Department, earlier in the week, announced its pursuit of UN sanctions on seven ships suspected of illegally exporting North Korean coal and iron ore to China, which is in violation of UN Security Council sanctions concerning North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.