DPRK fires ballistic missile into eastern waters

SEOUL - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Wednesday test-fired one ballistic missile into eastern waters, South Korea's defense ministry said.

A Seoul ministry official told Xinhua that the ballistic missile was fired at about 6:42 am local time from Sinpo in North Hamgyeong province, in northeastern DPRK. The missile flew about 60 km into its eastern waters.

It was not known what type of missile it was as the military authorities of South Korea and the United States are still analyzing the firing.

According to Yonhap news agency report, it was not an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) or a submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM).

On March 22, Pyongyang test-launched what was presumed to be a Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missile from its eastern region, but it failed as it exploded in midair.

On Feb 12, the DPRK successfully test-fired a new type of intermediate-range ballistic missile, called Pukguksong-2.

The test-firing came as combined forces of South Korea and the United States are conducting joint annual spring war games, codenamed Key Resolve and Foal Eagle that are scheduled to end by the end of this month.

A variety of U.S. strategic weapons were mobilized to the war games, including a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, a nuclear-powered submarine and nuclear-capable bombers.