Seoul: In a recent development, North Korea has launched an unspecified ballistic missile towards the East Sea, as confirmed by South Korea's military. The announcement came on Sunday, marking another escalation in the region's military activities. According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) of South Korea, the missile's launch was detected, though further details were not disclosed.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this missile launch follows a statement by South Korea's First Deputy National Security Adviser, Kim Tae-hyo, who, during his visit to Washington for the second session of the Nuclear Consultative Group, warned of North Korea's potential plans to test an intercontinental ballistic missile within the current month. The allies, during these talks, agreed on completing the establishment of guidelines for a joint nuclear strategy by the middle of the following year.
This incident also occurs amidst growing tensions following North Korea's decision last month to annul the 2018 inter-Korean military pact, aimed at reducing hostilities and preventing accidental clashes along the border. Seoul had responded to this by partially suspending the agreement in protest of North Korea's successful launch of its first military spy satellite on November 21.
The last known ballistic missile launch by North Korea was on November 22, which, according to the JCS, appears to have been a failure.