ROK says DPRK fires unidentified projectile into eastern waters

SEOUL - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired an unidentified projectile into eastern waters, the Republic of Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Tuesday.

The JCS said in a statement that the ROK military detected the projectile, presumed to be a ballistic missile which the DPRK launched from its inland area into the East Sea at about 7:27 am local time (2027 GMT Monday).

It noted that the intelligence authorities of the ROK and the United States were analyzing further details on the projectile.

The JCS said the ROK military was closely monitoring the relevant situation and maintaining readiness posture in close cooperation with the United States to prepare for the possible additional launch by the DPRK.

It marked the DPRK's second missile test in 2022. The DPRK said last week that it successfully test-fired a hypersonic missile on Jan 5.

The ROK's presidential National Security Council held an emergency meeting, expressing its strong regrets over the DPRK's firing of the short-range projectile.