South Korea’s military says North Korea fired a projectile toward the sea

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea's military reports that North Korea launched at least one projectile towards its eastern waters, intensifying a series of weapon demonstrations. The Joint Chiefs of Staff have not yet confirmed the nature of the weapon or its flight path. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's office confirmed the detection, labeling the object as a possible ballistic missile.

This launch occurred days after South Korea tested its first domestically-developed hypersonic weapon, capable of reaching at least five times the speed of sound, which President Lee Jae Myung deemed a significant step in enhancing the nation's conventional defense. North Korea, while remaining hostile toward Seoul, has intensified its weapons testing, aiming to broaden its nuclear-capable arsenal.

This includes a hypersonic intermediate-range missile test on October 3, purportedly designed to evade South Korean and Japanese missile defenses. North Korea has also carried out other missile launches, live-fire drills, and commissioned a new warship in recent months, as leader Kim Jong Un continues to showcase his nuclear weapons program and reject U.S. and South Korean proposals for resuming stalled diplomatic talks.

Tensions have further escalated following the injury of three South Korean soldiers in landmine explosions near the heavily fortified inter-Korean border last month. The military and the U.S.-led United Nations Command concluded that the blasts were triggered by devices planted by North Korea, despite the regime denying responsibility and mocking Seoul's calls for an apology.