SEOUL – North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward the sea off its east coast early Saturday, prompting South Korea to heighten surveillance and Japan to issue a maritime warning.
South Korea’s military said the missile was launched from the Wonsan area at around 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 3. Authorities did not immediately disclose the type of missile or how far it traveled.
Japan’s Coast Guard, citing the country’s Defense Ministry, said the projectile was believed to be a ballistic missile and appeared to have already fallen. Vessels in the area were advised to exercise caution.
Following the launch, South Korea’s military stepped up monitoring for possible additional missile tests and said it would share relevant intelligence with the United States and Japan.
South Korea’s presidential National Security Council also convened an emergency meeting to assess the situation.
The launch came amid renewed tensions between North and South Korea following a dispute over a landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone that seriously wounded two South Korean soldiers. Seoul said North Korean mines caused the blast, while Pyongyang rejected South Korea’s demand for an apology.
