A North Korean missile has purportedly descended into the Sea of Japan, coinciding with escalating tensions and provocative statements from Pyongyang.
On Sunday, North Korea’s military initiated a missile launch off its eastern coast, directed towards the sea, as conveyed by South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Although the precise distance the missile covered remains uncertain, Japan’s Coast Guard confirmed the fall of an “object, potentially a ballistic missile,” launched from North Korea.
According to reports from Japanese broadcaster NHK, the missile touched down beyond the confines of the country’s exclusive economic zone, the maritime region encircling the Japanese landmass.
The missile launch is the first since Pyongyang test-fired its Hwasong-18 missile in mid-December.
The solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile was designed to reach the US mainland and is the country’s most advanced long-range weapon. It was not clear whether Sunday’s launch was also a Hwasong-18.
The missile launch comes after the north launched several rounds of artillery fire in exercises close to a disputed border on the Korean peninsula.
Tensions between the two neighbors has been ramping up after Pyongyang launched a military spy satellite in November and pledged to expand its nuclear arsenal.
North Korea points to what it calls US hostility to justify its own military maneuvers.
Pyongyang has also been upping its rhetoric, with leader Kim Jong Un calling South Korea “our principal enemy” earlier this week, and threatening to annihilate its southern neighbor if provoked.
Experts have warned that Pyongyang could increase its test-firing of ballistic missiles in the run up to South Korea’s parliamentary elections in April and the US presidential elections in November.
