SEOUL : South Korea’s military said the projectile was launched toward waters off North Korea’s east coast but did not immediately provide further details. Japan’s Coast Guard also confirmed the launch, adding that the object appeared to have fallen into the sea.
Japan’s public broadcaster NHK, citing defence ministry sources, reported that the projectile likely landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
The launch comes just days after the United States and South Korea began major joint military exercises aimed at testing their readiness against potential threats from North Korea. The allies maintain that the drills are purely defensive in nature.
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However, nuclear-armed North Korea has long criticized such exercises, often describing them as rehearsals for military aggression against the country.
The development also follows a diplomatic meeting earlier this week in Washington, where South Korea’s prime minister met U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss possible ways to resume dialogue with Pyongyang. Talks between the North and the United States have remained stalled since 2019.
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