North Korea launched what is suspected to be a ballistic missile toward South Korea’s East Sea on Saturday morning local time.
South Korea‘s Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected the launch from around the Sunan area in Pyongyang at 8:48 a.m. but did not provide further details, Yonhap News reported. This is North Korea’s ninth missile launch this year and comes just four days before South Korea’s presidential election.
“Currently, our military is tracking and monitoring (North Korean) movements regarding the possibility of an additional launch and maintaining a readiness posture,” the JCS said in a text message to reporters.
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Among its unusually high number of provocations in 2022, North Korea has launched a barrage of missiles, including what it claims was a hypersonic missile. In January, North Korea suggested it would lift its yearslong self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests, citing “hostile” U.S. policy.
Prior to the latest launch, North Korea’s most recent missile test was conducted Feb. 27 after a monthlong pause. Before the break, the country said Jan. 31 that it tested a missile capable of hitting U.S. military bases in Guam and Japan.
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On the morning of Jan. 30, North Korea carried out its longest-range missile test since 2017. The missile flew for roughly 30 minutes before falling into waters east of the country near neighboring Japan, according to Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno.
