The DPRK on Thursday launched one short-range ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan, the Yonhap News Agency reported, citing the Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea.

The Committee said the launch took place at about 10:48 local time (04:48 Moscow time) from Wonsan City in Gangwon Province. The missile flew about 240 kilometers at a maximum altitude of about 45 kilometers and reached a speed of Mach 4. The last time North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan was Nov. 9.

The Chiefs of Staff Committee informed that shortly before the launch, the U.S. and South Korea conducted "planned" missile defense exercises involving Aegis-equipped destroyers. North Korea's series of ballistic missile launches is a significant provocation, undermining peace and stability not only on the Korean Peninsula, but across the planet. This is a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions, the South Korean military added. They promised to continue to maintain readiness and monitor North Korea's activities related to missile launches.

According to the agency, the launch came after the DPRK foreign minister promised a tough response to the strengthening of the U.S. extended deterrence and the military activities of Washington and its allies in the region.