The South Korean military reported that North Korea has launched a ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan, raising tensions in the region. The missile was launched from near Pyongyang and flew approximately 1,000 kilometers before falling into the Sea of Japan. It is possible that Pyongyang is testing a new type of device, a solid-fuel rocket.
The United States has condemned the launch and called on all countries to condemn these violations and ask North Korea to come to the table for serious negotiations. Foreign portfolio officials in South Korea, the United States, and Japan have held a telephone conversation following the launch, which has prompted an alert in Japan. Japan’s Defense Ministry has confirmed that no missile ultimately landed in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The launch comes days after North Korean President Kim Jong Un met with senior members of the country’s armed forces to stress the “need” for “more offensive” war deterrence. In addition, Seoul has denounced that its northern neighbor has now spent seven consecutive days without responding to routine security calls through the joint communication channel, criticizing its “unilateral and irresponsible attitude.” South Korean officials said Monday that they were weighing the possibility that Pyongyang had “unilaterally” suspended the communication channel, through which the two countries maintain two daily contacts.