Kim Jong-un's North Korea has launched a ballistic missile ahead of the announced US-South Korean military drills. This unidentified ballistic missile was launched in the East Sea.
On Sunday, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the launch of the missile. But he did not give any details.
This is the first time North Korea has launched such a missile since last June.
The ballistic missile launch came after a US aircraft carrier arrived in South Korea to take part in joint exercises and ahead of a planned visit by US Vice President Kamala Harris to Seoul, the BBC reported.
However, South Korea's state-run media had previously reported that its neighbor was preparing to test a ballistic missile by launching it from a submarine. However, the United Nations has banned North Korea from ballistic and nuclear weapons tests.
Japan's coast guard confirmed the launch, while also asking ships at sea to 'be on the lookout'. The missile appears to have fallen outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.
Earlier last Friday, the US nuclear-powered USS Ronald Reagan anchored in the southern port city of Busan to take part in joint exercises off the east coast of South Korea. The South Korean Navy believes that this exercise will be held "in the interests of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula".
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