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People in Seoul watch a news program about the launch of a North Korean missile
Photo: KIM HONG-JI / REUTERS
North Korea has tested a ballistic missile, according to two neighboring countries.
According to the South Korean military, the north fired a "suspected ballistic missile" in the direction of the sea east of the peninsula on Wednesday morning.
The National Security Council expressed itself "concerned" about the start at an emergency meeting, as announced by the Presidential Office in Seoul.
The Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also spoke of a “possible launch of a ballistic missile”.
It is "really unfortunate that North Korea has continuously launched rockets since last year," he told journalists.
The Japanese government is analyzing the incident, including the trajectory and the number of missiles fired.
"So far there have been no reports of damage to Japanese aircraft and ships," said Japan's government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno.
According to estimates by the Japanese government, if the rocket entered a "normal orbit" it would have flown about 500 kilometers and landed in the sea outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone.
UN prohibits missile tests
Just last week, North Korea's ruler Kim Jong-un announced that he would further expand the military capabilities of his armed forces.
Pyongyang is subject to numerous international sanctions because of its nuclear and missile program, which has made rapid progress under Kim.
US diplomatic efforts have been unsuccessful in recent years.
North Korea last tested a ballistic missile in October.
Tests with such missiles are prohibited in the country by UN resolutions.
The leadership of ruler Kim Jong-un has been promoting the development of missiles that could be equipped with nuclear warheads for years.
It is therefore subject to severe international sanctions.
mrc / dpa / AFP