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North Korea's dictator Kin Jong Un visiting troops (March 13)
Photo: KCNA / REUTERS
Things had recently become a little quieter about the North Korean missile program.
But just in time for US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Seoul, North Korea fired at least one ballistic missile towards the sea.
According to the South Korean military, the missile was fired on Monday from the east of the Korean peninsula.
The Japanese coast guard also reported the launch of what was believed to be a ballistic missile by North Korea.
Japan later said it had detected a second ballistic missile launch from North Korea.
Both fell into the sea outside its exclusive economic zone.
Japan strongly condemned the launches.
It was North Korea's first missile test in two months.
In its most recent launch on January 14, North Korea fired a medium-range hypersonic missile that it said ran on solid fuel to test new booster engines and a maneuverable warhead.
Pyongyang's show of force coincides with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Seoul to attend the Summit for Democracy conference hosted by President Yoon Suk Yeol that begins on Monday.
Large maneuver by South Korea and the USA
The armed forces of South Korea and the United States had held large-scale joint military exercises for 10 days until last Thursday.
On Sunday, the South Korean military also mobilized Marines, attack helicopters and amphibious vehicles to increase troop levels and reinforce western islands near the maritime border with North Korea that were bombed by North Korea in 2010.
The UN Security Council has passed numerous resolutions calling on North Korea to stop its nuclear and missile programs.
North Korea carried out its first nuclear test in 2006.
jok/Reuters