North Korea launched a ballistic missile from its eastern coast on Tuesday morning, according to South Korean and Japanese officials. “The launch took place in the port city of Sinpo, Hamgyong province, at about 10 a.m. local time Tuesday (9 p.m. ET Monday),” South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. He said it seemed like it was a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). 

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South Korea’s Defense Ministry estimated that the launch might have taken place from the sea. However, it is yet to be confirmed whether it was fired from a submarine. 

Japan’s Deputy Secretary General Yoshihiko Isozaki claimed two ballistic missiles were estimated to be fired, while as per South Korea’s military it was just one.

“North Korea’s latest actions threaten the peace and security of Japan and the region,” Isozaki told CNN. “Furthermore, the continued ballistic missile launches pose a serious challenge not just for Japan but for the entire international community.”

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“Tuesday’s test was extremely regrettable and violated UN Security Council resolutions,” Isozaki added.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida tweeted on Tuesday that Japan would “respond resolutely” to North Korea’s action. 

South Korea’s National Security Council (NSC) expressed “deep regret” in a text sent to reporters by the Presidential Office Blue House. “In a meeting held following the launch, NSC standing committee members called on North Korea to engage in dialogue, emphasizing the importance of stability in the region,” the Blue House said.

Recently, Pyongyang agreed to reopen official communications with Seoul on October 4, showing signs of warming relations between both North and South Korea. 

“South and North Korea spoke on a joint-communication line at 9 a.m. local time Tuesday, prior to the reported missile launch,” a South Korean Unification Ministry official said. North, however, did not mention that launch during the call.