North Korea Fired 'Suspected Ballistic Missile', Says South

This comes two days after the North threatened "shocking" consequences to protest what it called a provocative United States reconnaissance activity near its territory.

North Korea fired an unspecified ballistic missile from the Pyongyang area to waters off its east coast, South Korea's joint chiefs of staff said, as reported by CNN. The report quoted Japan’s Coast Guard saying the missile was launched at 9:59 a.m. local time and fell into the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, at 11:15 a.m., citing the Ministry of Defense. It also advised ships in the fall area to exercise caution and look out for further information.

According to the Associated Press, this comes two days after the North threatened "shocking" consequences to protest what it called a provocative United States reconnaissance activity near its territory. South Korea’s military boosted its surveillance and maintained readiness in coordination with the United States.

On Monday, Kim Yo Jung, the sister of Kim Jong Un warned the US of "a shocking incident" as she claimed that a US spy plane flew over North’s eastern exclusive economic zone eight times, earlier that day. She said that the North's warplanes had chased the US plane away.

Rejecting these claims, the US and South Korea have urged the North to refrain from any rhetoric, reported AP.

In another statement, Kim Yo Jong said the US military would experience “a very critical flight” if it continues its illicit, aerial spying activities. The North's military also threatened to shoot down any US spy plane.

Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada said that the North Korean missile was likely launched on a lofted trajectory. He said the missile was expected to land at sea about 550 kilometres (340 miles) east of the coast of the Korean Peninsula outside of the Japanese exclusive economic zone. 

This year North Korea test fired its first ever solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), and conducted a failed attempt to launch its first-ever spy satellite on a new launch vehicle. 

North Korea is banned from using ballistic missile technology, including for satellite launches, under UN sanctions imposed over its nuclear weapons programmes.

South Korea and the US are due to start major annual joint military exercises, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, next month.

North Korea regards such exercises as rehearsals for invasion, claiming its military activities are a necessary response.