According to the South Korean military, North Korea has once again fired a missile towards the open sea. The rocket was fired in the direction of the Sea of Japan (Korean: East Sea), the Yonhap news agency reported, citing the South Korean military. It was initially unclear what type of missile it was. According to the Japanese Defense Ministry, it could have been a ballistic missile.
United Nations resolutions actually prohibit North Korea, which is largely isolated internationally, from testing ballistic missiles of any range. Depending on the design, they could also be equipped with a nuclear warhead. However, the communist-ruled country repeatedly flouted the ban.
The new launch would be the first test of such a weapon in more than a month, Japanese media reported. The US and South Korea are planning joint military exercises for the coming month, which has already prompted North Korea to make threats. The conflict on the Korean peninsula has become explosive again since last year.
