Seoul says North Korea launched an "unspecified" projectile toward the Sea of Japan

The South Korean military said on Thursday that North Korea fired at least one “unspecified” projectile toward the Sea of Japan, while Tokyo hinted it could be a ballistic missile.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement to the media that “North Korea launched an unspecified projectile” toward the Sea of Japan.

The launch came a day after Pyongyang accused Japan of “turning into a war state,” as Tokyo strengthens its military capabilities in the Pacific.

For its part, Japan’s Ministry of Defense posted on the X platform: “What may be a ballistic missile was launched from North Korea.”

Japanese Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba said this week that “his country needs to accelerate the enhancement of its military capabilities,” following a government assessment warning of growing threats from neighboring countries.

In a statement published by official media on Wednesday, Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said her country’s leadership “will make additional military choices clearly dictated by the transformations underway in Japan.”