North Korea Fired One Short-Range Ballistic Missile Toward Sea of Japan - S. Korean Military

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - North Korea test-fired its first short-range ballistic missile in 2023, launching it toward the Sea of Japan on Sunday, the South Korean military has detailed.

Authorities determined the single missile was launched from Pyongyang's Ryongsong area at about 2:50 a.m. Analysis of the launch is ongoing; however, the South Korean military has stated the projectile flew some 400 kilometers before falling into the Sea of Japan.

Earlier, the Japanese Defense Ministry said North Korea test-fired three short-range ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan. The missiles flew over a distance of 350 kilometers (217 miles), reaching a maximum altitude of 100 kilometers (62 miles).

All of the missiles had landed outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone.

The previous test-firing carried out by Pyongyang earlier on Saturday came after South Korea had successfully test-fired a solid-fuel carrier rocket on Friday, as part of its efforts to strengthen space-based reconnaissance capabilities, according to South Korea's Defense Ministry.

This year alone, North Korea launched ballistic missiles 38 times, with a total of 67 missiles fired. In addition, Pyongyang tested cruise missiles three times.