North Korea on Sunday fired the first rocket launch of an unidentified ballistic missile this year toward the East Sea, according to ANI News.
Japan’s Prime Minister’s Office issued an emergency alert after the ballistic missile launch and said it was awaiting more details on the matter.
“North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile. More updates to follow,” the PMO of Japan wrote in a post on X.
South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-Sik said last week that Pyongyang could test-fire a solid-fuel medium-range ballistic missile this month.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last week said he had no intention of staying out of the battle with South Korea and vowed to destroy the latter if it tries to use force against Pyongyang.
To response, South Korean officials have heralded early provocative action by the North earlier this year to heighten tensions ahead of the country’s general election in April.
