N. Korea fires ‘unidentified projectile’, South’s military say

N. Korea fires ‘unidentified projectile’, South’s military say

This marks the nuclear-armed country's ninth suspected weapons test this year.

Pyongyang carried out seven weapons tests in January, including its most powerful missile since 2017. (AP pic)
SEOUL:
North Korea fired at least one “unidentified projectile”, South Korea’s military said Saturday, the nuclear-armed country’s ninth suspected weapons test this year.

“North Korea fired an unidentified projectile eastward,” Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement, without giving further details.

Pyongyang carried out an unprecedented seven weapons tests in January, including its most powerful missile since 2017, when leader Kim Jong-un baited then-US president Donald Trump with a spate of provocative launches.

Last month Pyongyang said it had carried out a test of “great significance” towards developing a reconnaissance satellite, a day after Seoul said it had detected a ballistic missile launch.

The North’s latest testing comes at a delicate time in the region, as South Korea gears up to elect its next president on Wednesday.

Experts say Pyongyang could use its next key anniversary – the 110th birthday of founding President Kim Il-sung on April 15 – to carry out a major weapons test.

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