Seoul, 18 December 2023 (dpa/MIA) - The South Korean military on Monday said that North Korea fired a long-range nuclear-capable missile towards the Sea of Japan.

The launch of the suspected intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was recorded on Monday morning, according to the South Korean General Staff in Seoul.

The missile flew towards the Sea of Japan, between the Korean peninsula and Japan. It was initially unclear how far the missile flew. According to the South Korean military, it was the second ballistic missile North Korea fired a within a few hours.

On Sunday evening South Korea's military detected the test of a North Korean short-range missile. It fell into the sea after a flight of around 570 kilometres, also in an easterly direction.

North Korea, a self-proclaimed nuclear power, is prohibited from testing ballistic missiles by UN resolutions. Depending on their design, such missiles can also be equipped with a nuclear warhead.

Photo: MIA archive