North Korea fires suspected ballistic missile into sea, ninth test this year
Zee News
Analysts say North Korea could use the upcoming presidential transition in South Korea or a big national holiday on April 15 to test fire a major new missile.
SEOUL: North Korea fired at least one suspected ballistic missile toward the sea to the east of the Korean peninsula on Saturday, militaries in the region said, an apparent test just days before the South`s presidential election.
South Korea`s Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected the launch of one suspected ballisic missile on Saturday, while the office of Japan`s Prime Minister also said it was a suspected ballistic missile.
The launch would be the ninth this year. The last was on February 27 when North Korea said it tested systems for a reconnaissance satellite.
The South Korean military said Saturday`s launch came from a location near Sunan, where Pyongyang`s international airport is located. The airport has been the site of previous tests, including the Feb. 27 launch.
South Korea`s National Security Council will convene an emergency meeting, the presidential Blue House said.
