Defense News ,South Korea :- North Korea shot a ballistic missile into the sea on Sunday, marking its first missile launch in about a month. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the launch but did not provide details on how far the missile traveled.
Japan's Defense Ministry also reported detecting a possible ballistic missile launch by North Korea but didn't share additional information.
This is North Korea's first missile launch since testing its advanced Hwasong-18 solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile on December 18, designed to reach the mainland U.S.
Just a few days ago, North Korea fired artillery shells near the tense sea border with South Korea. In response, South Korea conducted similar firing exercises in the same area.
North Korea has been using aggressive language against its rivals lately. Kim Jong Un, the country's leader, referred to South Korea as "our principal enemy" and threatened to destroy it if provoked.
Experts predict that Kim may escalate tensions further by conducting more missile tests to influence the outcomes of South Korea's parliamentary elections in April and the U.S. presidential election in November.
In a significant party meeting last December, Kim pledged to expand the country's nuclear arsenal and launch additional spy satellites, citing perceived confrontational moves led by the U.S.
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