North Korea fires an unidentified ballistic missile into the Sea of ​​Japan

North Korea

has launched an unidentified ballistic missile into the Sea of

shortly after a US aircraft carrier arrived in the region for maneuvers in a test of strength with

.

The South Korean armed forces "detected the firing of a short-range missile fired by

at 0653 (2153 GMT Saturday) today near Taechon in

province , into the

," the report said. Sunday the joint chiefs of staff in a statement.

"Our military maintains a fully alert posture and cooperates closely with the United States as it strengthens surveillance," the statement said.

The launch comes amid reports that

is preparing to launch a ballistic missile from a submarine.

It is the latest test launch in a wave of

's war games this year, including firing an intercontinental ballistic missile at full range.

In May,

fired a short-range ballistic missile from Sinpo, North Korea's largest naval shipyard.

The Japanese coast guard issued an alert to ships in the area, while Japanese Defense Minister

indicated that the missile

.

If the missile maintained a regular trajectory, it

and landed in waters near the North Korean east coast," the minister added, noting that the device fell outside of Japan's economic exclusion zone.

repeated launch of ballistic missiles

is absolutely inexcusable and the remarkable improvement in its missile technology is something we cannot ignore," Hamada said.

Visit from Kamala Harris

South Korean President

, who took office in May, has vowed to step up joint military exercises with the United States after years of failed diplomacy with

under his predecessor.

On Friday, the nuclear-powered

aircraft carrier and ships from its strike group docked in the southern port of Busan as part of an effort by

to step up military cooperation with Washington.

Yoon

is also scheduled to meet with US Vice President

in Seoul on Thursday, following a visit in May by President

and in September by House Speaker

.

"This latest test comes amid the arrival of the USS Ronald Reagan this week and Vice President Harris's visit to Seoul next week,"

, an analyst at the RAND Corporation, told reporters.

"It's North Korea's way of showing defiance to the Seoul-Washington alliance," he said.

The

conduct joint exercises this month off South Korea's eastern seaboard.

The United States and South Korea are historical allies and have carried out numerous joint military exercises, which they define as defensive, but

considers them rehearsals for an invasion.

"

may be making a show of force during the US carrier's visit to South Korea," said Professor Leif-Eric Easley of Ewha University in Seoul.

"But North Korea's big tests are mainly part of a long-term campaign to advance its offensive military capabilities," he explained.

Authorities in Washington and Seoul have warned for months that North Korean leader

is preparing to conduct another nuclear test.

The isolated regime has carried out six nuclear tests since 2006. The last and most powerful was in 2017, which according to

was a hydrogen bomb with an estimated power of 250 kilotons.

"North Korea may be postponing its seventh nuclear test out of respect for China, which will have a political conference that (President) Xi Jinping is rigorously preparing to extend his rule," Easley added.

"But there are limits to Pyongyang's self-restraint."

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