North Korea launched a ballistic missile on Monday, the South Korean military said, after testing another one on Sunday night.
The missile flew over the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, and landed in international waters.
The Japanese government confirmed that North Korea fired “what appears to be a ballistic missile” via its X handle. It did not specify the type or range of the missile.
The launch came amid heightened tensions between North Korea and its neighbours over its nuclear and missile programmes. North Korea declared itself an “irreversible” nuclear power last year and has repeatedly said it will never give up its nuclear weapons.
Last month, Pyongyang successfully put a military spy satellite into orbit. It claimed that its satellite was already spying on major United States and South Korean military sites.
The US and South Korea have been bolstering their nuclear deterrence plans in response to North Korea’s provocations. They have also urged China and Russia to use their influence to rein in Pyongyang’s behaviour.
