Seoul, Jan 06 (V7N) — North Korea fired a ballistic missile off its east coast early Monday morning, marking its first missile launch in two months. The launch comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits South Korea amidst political unrest, heightening tensions in the region.

South Korea’s military confirmed the missile was launched toward the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan. The Japanese Coast Guard and Defence Ministry also corroborated the event, stating the missile likely fell into the sea.

This launch is the first since North Korea claimed to have tested its most advanced solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Pyongyang also conducted GPS jamming operations in late November, disrupting South Korean ships and civilian aircraft.

The timing of the missile test coincides with the growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. The two nations signed a defense treaty in June, which came into effect in December. Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the agreement as a "groundbreaking document." The treaty commits both countries to mutual military support in the event of an attack and emphasizes opposition to Western sanctions.

The missile test underscores the increasing alignment between North Korea and Russia since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, raising concerns among US allies.

As tensions escalate, the international community continues to monitor North Korea's activities closely, with calls for diplomatic engagement to de-escalate the situation.

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