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North Korea launched a ballistic missile off its eastern coast on Sunday, according to the South Korean military, days after Pyongyang reaffirmed its status as a nuclear-armed state.
The launch came eight days after North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles towards the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, as part of what it later described as a joint firepower training exercise.
This move also came after Pyongyang this week rejected a resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency renewing demands to halt its nuclear activities.
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that "the military detected a ballistic missile launched from the Wonsan area of North Korea towards the East Sea at around 3:00 PM (06:00 GMT)".
The military said it had enhanced surveillance and vigilance in anticipation of additional missile launches, adding that South Korea, the United States, and Japan were "closely sharing information" about the missile.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary confirmed the launch, stating via the platform 'X' that the projectile was a "likely ballistic missile".
Japan's Ministry of Defense later stated that the projectile had "already fallen", without providing further details.
South Korea's presidential office said the National Security Office held an emergency security meeting following the missile launch, to review Seoul's response and assess the implications for national security.
The government urged Pyongyang to "immediately cease" ballistic missile launches, considering the latest launch a "serious act" that violates UN Security Council resolutions.
North Korea accused "hostile forces" of seeking to put an end to its nuclear program during the IAEA General Conference held this week.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the IAEA's decision "has no impact on the status of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea as a nuclear-weapon state".
North Korea has legally enshrined its status as a nuclear-weapon state, with its leadership declaring the country's nuclear arsenal as sustainable and irreversible.
Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader, recently stated that her country's status as a nuclear-armed state is "absolute", and described those calling for its denuclearization as "fools".
US President Donald Trump stated in August that Pyongyang possesses 57 "very powerful" nuclear weapons, while Seoul estimated the number to be between 80 and 120.
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