North Korea fires suspected intermediate-range ballistic missile
Al Jazeera
Pyongyang’s latest move comes days after Russia used its veto to disband a UN panel monitoring sanctions compliance.
North Korea has fired a suspected intermediate-range ballistic missile into the sea off its east coast.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said that it detected the launch from the area of the North Korean capital Pyongyang on Tuesday at 6.53am (21:53 GMT on Monday).
“We have stepped up monitoring and are closely sharing relevant information with the US and Japan,” they added.
Tokyo confirmed the launch, with the coastguard urging vessels to be vigilant and report any fallen objects without approaching them.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida condemned the launch, telling reporters North Korea had “repeatedly launched ballistic missiles” this year, adding that it was a threat to regional security and “absolutely unacceptable”.
