Overview
- South Korea’s military said the missile was fired Sunday morning local time toward the sea from North Korea’s east coast.
- Japan’s Defense Ministry also reported a sighting of a suspected North Korean rocket consistent with the launch.
- Authorities have not provided details on the missile’s type, range, trajectory, or impact point.
- The firing comes after North Korea recently touted tests of long-range cruise missiles and air-defense missiles and released footage claiming progress on a nuclear-powered submarine.
- Analysts assess the intensified testing seeks to sharpen precision, challenge the U.S.–South Korea alliance, and possibly validate weapons before transfers to Russia.