North Korea launched a ballistic missile off its east coast. The projectile fell into the sea after traveling approximately 700 kilometers

North Korea launched a ballistic missile from the Wonsan region toward the East Sea on Saturday morning, South Korea and Japan announced. The projectile was detected at around 06:30 local time and fell into the sea after traveling approximately 700 kilometers.

Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said surveillance had been intensified and that information was being exchanged with the United States and Japan. The Japanese Coast Guard confirmed the launch, noting that the projectile may have been a ballistic missile. South Korea’s presidential National Security Council convened an emergency meeting to assess the situation.

The launch comes amid heightened tensions between the two Koreas. Seoul accuses Pyongyang of planting anti-personnel mines in the Demilitarized Zone after two devices exploded, injuring three South Korean soldiers. North Korea denied responsibility and rejected calls for an apology.

Pyongyang is under UN sanctions for its nuclear and missile programs and recently rejected initiatives from Seoul to resume dialogue. calc