North Korea launches 1 apparent ballistic missile

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North Korea launches 1 apparent ballistic missile

North Korea launched at least one apparent ballistic missile on Wednesday, Japan s Defense Ministry said, as the country continues its ramped-up pace of weapons testing.

The South Korean military said that it had launched an unidentified projectile into the Sea of Japan.

The North has conducted a series of launches at a record-setting pace this year, with some analysts fearing that Kim Jong Un could conduct an underground nuclear test for the first time since 2017, when it tested what it said was a thermonuclear weapon.

Late last month, Kim pledged to double down on further developing his nuclear and missile programs, delivering a fiery speech at a rare large-scale military parade that showed off some of the country's most powerful weapons systems.

Wednesday s launch comes after North Korea tested an intercontinental ballistic missile late last month that Japan s defense minister said was capable of traveling 15,000 kilometers, putting the entire U.S. within striking distance.