DPRK fires unidentified projectile toward eastern waters

SEOUL - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired an unidentified projectile towards eastern waters, the Republic of Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Wednesday.

The JCS said in a statement that the projectile, believed to be a ballistic missile, was launched towards the East Sea from the DPRK's inland area at about 8:10 am local time.

It noted that the intelligence authorities of the ROK and the United States were analyzing further details on the projectile.

The JCS said the ROK military was closely monitoring relevant situation and maintaining readiness posture in close cooperation with the United States to prepare for the possibly additional missile launch by the DPRK.

It marked the DPRK's first missile test in 2022. The last test-firing was conducted on Oct 19, 2021 when the DPRK test-launched a new type of submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM).

The ROK's presidential National Security Council (NSC) held an emergency meeting, expressing concerns about the DPRK's launch of a projectile that was believed to be a short-range ballistic missile, according to the Blue House.

The NSC members said the DPRK's missile launch came at a time when the stability of the situation was considerably required at home and abroad, emphasizing the importance for the resumption of talks with the DPRK to relieve the inter-Korean tensions.