North Korea Fires Ballistic Missile Towards Sea of Japan After Seoul’s Apology Demand

North Korea fired a ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan on Saturday, days after South Korea demanded an apology over a landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that injured three South Korean soldiers.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile was launched from the Wonsan area of North Korea at around 6:30 a.m. and travelled more than 700 kilometres before falling into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.

South Korea, the United States and Japan are sharing information on the launch and maintaining a joint defence posture, Seoul’s military said.

The missile launch came shortly after tensions rose over an explosion in the DMZ last month. South Korea and the US-led United Nations Command said the blast was caused by North Korean mines laid on the South Korean side of the border. Three South Korean soldiers were injured in the incident.

North Korea has denied responsibility for the explosion. On Friday, Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, rejected South Korea’s demand for an apology and criticised Seoul’s efforts to restart dialogue.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung had called on North Korea to return to talks, while Seoul’s Unification Minister also proposed discussions on border issues. Pyongyang dismissed the proposals.

The latest missile launch has further increased tensions between the two Koreas, with analysts describing it as a possible show of force following Seoul’s diplomatic overtures.