North Korea launched a suspected long-range ballistic missile toward the sea off its east coast on Thursday, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, Reuters reports.
This launch occurred a day after South Korea reported that the North was preparing to test an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The missile was fired at a steep angle from near Pyongyang, with Japan’s Coast Guard noting it was expected to land 300 km west of Okushiri Island.
North Korea has previously conducted ICBM tests at steep angles to limit the distance traveled for safety and political reasons. However, achieving a standard trajectory launch is crucial for ICBM development to ensure warheads can re-enter the atmosphere and accurately target locations.
Additionally, North Korea has faced international criticism for deploying around 11,000 troops to Russia, with 3,000 near the frontlines in Ukraine. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun condemned North Korea’s involvement in the Ukraine war, warning it could further escalate tensions.
