North Korea has fired an unknown projectile, the South Korean military reports. The Japanese Coast Guard has also observed a launch and believes it may be a ballistic missile.
This is the third rocket test this year.
No details are known about the latest projectile yet. However, North Korea has already conducted two missile tests on January 5 and 11. At the time, the country said they were hypersonic missiles.
These are missiles five times faster than sound, so existing defence systems cannot or hardly intercept them. In addition, they have a shorter range than ballistic missiles.
The latest launch comes days after US sanctions on North Koreans involved in the weapons program. According to state media, the North Korean Ministry of Defense sees that action as deliberately escalating the situation.
However, the ministry also said that North Korea has the right to defend itself.