It would be the 12th ballistic missile test this year.
North Korea has fired a ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan, a U. S. official confirmed to ABC News.
Another U. S. official described the North Korean missile as probably being a short-range missile.
According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, “an unidentified projectile » was fired from a site in the eastern province of Gangwon into the Sea of Japan.
The latest North Korean missile test would be the 12th ballistic missile test this year. North Korea has demonstrated significant advancements in its missile technology this year testing and is on a pace to test more missiles this year than in any previous calendar year.
Their biggest achievements were North Korea’s successful launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) in July proving they could reach the continental United States.
The two launches in July triggered an international crisis as President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un exchanged in volatile rhetoric.
On Aug. 8, Trump threatened North Korea with « fire and fury like the world has never seen, » touching off a war of words between the two governments.
Kim said he would consider sending missiles into the waters off the coast of Guam in « mid-August. » Guam is a U. S. island territory that is home to two American military bases.
But, after reviewing those plans, Kim ultimately decided he would “watch a little more the foolish and stupid conduct of the Yankees, » seeming to walk back an imminent threat to the island and de-escalating tensions on the Peninsula — at least for now.
ABC News’ Elizabeth McLaughlin contributed to this report.
