By Salma El-Sakka
North Korea fired a suspected ballistic missile toward the sea off its east coast on Thursday, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. Japan's Coast Guard said the projectile had already fallen into the sea, while Japan's Defence Ministry also detected the launch of a possible ballistic weapon.
South Korea and Japan confirm launch
The launch comes amid heightened tension on the inter-Korean border following a mine blast last month that wounded South Korean soldiers. North Korea last fired ballistic missiles on 12 October, and has conducted missile tests on more than 10 occasions this year.
Recent missile tests escalate tensions
Earlier this month, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung oversaw the country's first test-firing of a hypersonic missile, a rare public showcase by a South Korean leader. The 12 October launches were described by a South Korean military spokesperson as a show of force in response to that hypersonic missile test. On 3 October, North Korean state media reported a hypersonic missile test supervised by leader Kim Jong Un.
UN sanctions and regional responses
North Korea has been under UN sanctions since 2006 aimed at halting its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile development. The latest launch adds to a series of provocations that have raised security concerns in the region.
