North Korea has launched an ‘unidentified projectile,’ South Korea says
The projectile was launched around 7:27 a.m., local time Tuesday (5:27 p.m. ET Monday), it said, adding that the military is maintaining a “readiness posture” in preparation for additional launches. The military is monitoring related movements with the close cooperation of the United States, it said.
Japan’s Coast Guard said that the “possible ballistic missile” had likely fallen into the sea by 7:45 a.m. local time. It called on all vessels to not approach the fallen object and to report anything sightings to them.
A South Korean government statement “expressed a strong regret over the North’s launch, which took place at a time when political stability is very important.”
Tuesday’s test covered about the same distance at last week’s, 700 kilometers (435 miles), and the missile fell into the sea outside of Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), according to Japan’s Defense Ministry.
North Korea has not released any information about Tuesday’s launch. Last week, North Korean state media gave details 24 hours after the test.
Pyongyang is barred from testing ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons under international law.
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