North Korea has fired an unidentified projectile toward the sea off its east coast, South Korea's Ministry of National Defence confirmed, marking what appears to be the latest demonstration of military strength by Pyongyang.
North Korea has conducted a succession of weapons tests this year, including the firing of a missile that flew more than 900 kilometres, as well as hypersonic weapons systems.
Seoul's announcement regarding what could represent the country's fourth missile trial over the past month came only hours after Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, dismissed the prospect of diplomatic dialogue with Washington until the United States abandons what she described as its hostile policy.
She also reiterated denials that Pyongyang was involved in a cyberattack targeting cryptocurrency exchange Binance following accusations made by the FBI.
The suspected launch followed reports from North Korean state media detailing an inspection by Kim Jong-un at a naval shipyard building a destroyer, where the leader underlined the critical need to build a powerful naval force.
