DPRK apparently test-launches ballistic missile: ROK military

SEOUL -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) test-launched a ballistic missile early Monday from the country's east coast, the Republic of Korea (ROK)'s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.

The ballistic missile, which was believed to be of Scud type, was fired at about 5:39 a.m. local time (2039 GMT on Sunday) from the DPRK's Wonsan vicinity, the JCS said in a statement.

The missile flew some 450 km into eastern waters. The Scud missile is a short-range ballistic missile with a range of 300-500 km, which is known to target the ROK territory.

The JCS said the ROK and the United States were analyzing details on the missile launch.

It noted that ROK's military was closely watching any possible provocation of the DPRK, while maintaining a full preparedness.

The Monday missile launch marked the third provocation of the DPRK since the new ROK administration was launched earlier this month. It also logged the DPRK's ninth missile test-firing this year.

ROK President Moon Jae-in ordered a meeting of national security council to be held. The meeting was presided over by Moon's top national security advisor Chung Eui-yong.