CNN
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North Korea on Saturday fired at least one unidentified projectile, believed to be a ballistic missile, into waters east of the Korean peninsula, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.
It was initially unclear how many projectiles were fired, but the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that the projectile was believed to be a single ballistic missile, launched from the Sunan area near the capital Pyongyang.
“The South Korean military is maintaining a prepared posture by monitoring related activities in preparation for additional launches,” the statement said.
South Korea’s presidential office said in a statement that South Korea’s National Security Council would hold an emergency meeting on Saturday morning.
Japan’s Coast Guard alerted its ships, saying “Possible ballistic missile(s) launched from North Korea.”
“We advise that ships should heed further information, and if they observe any falling objects, do not approach and report the relevant information to the Coast Guard of Japan,” it said.
International tensions are rising over a recent series of North Korean ballistic missile tests, an action long banned by the United Nations Security Council.
This marks North Korea’s ninth missile test in 2022. January saw a record number of such tests, with at least seven launches during the month involving a new type of “hypersonic missile” capable of maneuvering at high speeds.
Analysts suggest that increased testing this year shows that Kim is striving to meet both domestic targets and shows an increasingly turbulent world that Pyongyang remains a player in the struggle for power and influence. Is.
Saturday’s launch comes days before South Korea’s March 9 presidential election, in which North Korea is likely to be a major election issue.