North Korea fires ballistic missile into East Sea amid US sanctions Seventh test of year

North Korea has launched a ballistic missile into the East Sea, the South Korean military has confirmed, marking its seventh missile test this year.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile’s type and range were still under analysis, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

This is the first launch in 16 days, following the previous test on October 22, and the second since the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung administration.

Analysts suggest the launch is a direct response to recent U.S. sanctions. On November 4, the U.S. Treasury Department targeted eight North Korean nationals and two North Korean entities for their involvement in laundering funds from the regime’s cybercrime activities.

The U.S. State Department has also moved to have seven third-country vessels sanctioned by the United Nations for transporting North Korean coal and iron ore to China.

By Aghakazim Guliyev