North Korea has fired at least one ballistic missile into the sea as it ramped up its defiance of tough UN and US sanctions. The weapon, believed to be a medium-range Rodong-missile, flew about 800 km (500 miles) before hitting the sea off its east coast, South Korean military reported.
If confirmed, it would mark North Korea's first test of a medium range missile, capable of reaching Japan, since 2014.
The launch comes amid heightened tension on the Korean peninsula after the North rejected UN Security Council sanctions imposed earlier in the month in response to a nuclear test conducted in January.
The United States also issued fresh sanctions against Kim Jong-un's country this week.
The missile was launched from north of the capital Friday morning.
South Korea did not confirm the type of the missile, but 800 km was likely beyond the range of most short-rangemmissiles in the North's arsenal.
A US official said it appeared to be a medium-range missile fired from a road-mobile launcher.
The US State Department said it was closely monitoring the situation and urged North Korea to focus on taking concrete steps toward fulfilling its international commitments and obligations.
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