North Korea fired a ‘potential ballistic missile‘ towards the Sea of Japan on Sunday, the Japanese Defense Ministry said.

Japan‘s coastguard issued a warning to vessels about a “potentially ballistic missile possibly launched from North Korea,” according to a report by news agency AFP.

The government convened a special board to gather and analyze information about the launch.

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South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff also reported that North Korea had fired at least one ‘unidentified projectile’ eastward, without elaborating.

This could be the first test since leader Kim Jong-un launched a record seven missiles in January this year. The last launch was on January 30.

North Korea had halted its weapons testing during the Beijing Olympics held in early February, in what appeared to be an act of deference for ally China, AFP reported citing analysts. 

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But now, with South Korea’s presidential election lined up for March 9 and the world distracted by Russia’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine, Seol fears that the nuclear-armed country might escalate its missile testing. 

According to Tokyo-based Kyodo News, the missile is believed to have fallen outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone after flying about 300 kilometers and reaching an altitude of about 600 km, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi told reporters in Tokyo, adding no damage has been reported.

“We can never accept (North Korea) weaving through the gap to conduct a launch as the international community responds to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine,” Kishi said.

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The Japanese government lodged a protest with North Korea via the Japanese Embassy in Beijing, he added, reported Kyodo News.

Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi also said, “We have renewed our intention to be well prepared.”

Meanwhile, South Korea’s National Security Council gathered for an emergency meeting early on Sunday in connection with the launch, reported TASS.

North Korea is prohibited from developing nuclear and ballistic missiles by international law, but is not prohibited from testing cruise missiles.

However, Pyongyang has been ramping up testing of ballistic missiles, a move that many believe is aimed at coercing the Joe Biden administration into resuming long-stalled nuclear talks. The US, has not relented, however, and has responded by imposing sanctions on North Korean officials.