North Korea has fired a ballistic missile toward the east, Seoul says

SEOUL, South Korea — SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea conducted a ballistic missile test in an easterly direction on Wednesday, as reported by South Korea’s military. This marks the first weapons testing activity by North Korea in approximately five months.

The statement from South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff did not provide specific details on the distance traveled by the missile.

Usually, North Korea conducts missile tests in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, without causing damage to neighboring countries. However, the latest missile launch was confirmed to be in an easterly direction.

The timing of this launch is significant as South Korea is preparing to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference. Leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and other world leaders are expected to attend the event in the South Korean city of Gyeongju.

Analysts had predicted that North Korea might conduct provocative missile tests ahead of or during the APEC summit to reinforce its claim as a nuclear weapons state. This status is crucial for North Korea to request the lifting of economic sanctions imposed by the U.N.