North Korea has conducted a medium-range ballistic missile test, South Korea's UNHAPA news agency reported this morning (Wednesday).
The missile was launched from the west coast of the country into the sea.
This is the first experiment of its kind in two months and Seoul is seen as launching evidence of a more aggressive line that Pyongyang is taking against it and against the United States.
A statement from the South Korean Ministry of Defense said that the US military and the South Korean military were trying to obtain further details about the launch and understand the nature of the experiment carried out by North Korea.
South Korean President Moon Jin convened the National Security Council for an emergency trial.
The Blue House, Seoul's presidential office, said it was of paramount importance to return to talks with North Korea to prevent violence.
The Japanese Foreign Ministry also announced that its intelligence services had located the launch near Japan's economic waters.
"We find the fact that North Korea continues to fire missiles as very unfortunate," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters at a news conference in Tokyo.
North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un announced last week his intention to strengthen his country's military capabilities, despite international pressure on Pyongyang to shelve its missile program and reduce its nuclear arsenal.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Photo: Reuters
In September, North Korea conducted a one-of-a-kind "Sung 8" hyper-sonic missile test of its kind.
"In launching the first experiment of its kind, national defense scientists videotaped the missile's control and stabilization capabilities during its launch," the North Korean state news agency said in a statement.
"Scientists have tested the capability of the missile while gliding, as well as the capabilities of the missile's separate hyper-sonic hoist," the statement said.
North Korea's ballistic missile program is a significant point of contention between it and the United States due to the fact that the program is designed to allow the country a nuclear attack capability.
North Korea has even previously announced that it is working on developing long-range missiles that could reach the western coast of the United States.
The United States, backed by a UN Security Council resolution, has imposed heavy sanctions on Pyongyang over its ballistic missile program.
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