North Korea launches new ‘unidentified ballistic missile’

North Korea launched a ballistic missile on Sunday, the South Korean military said. The shot came days after Pyongyang staged a live artillery exercise near its maritime border with South Korea.

“North Korea fired an unidentified ballistic missile towards the East Sea,” South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement, referring to the area also known as the Sea of ​​Japan. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected the launch but gave no details.

Japan’s coast guard said it was a “potentially ballistic missile object launched from North Korea,” citing information from the country’s defense ministry and asking ships to be careful.

“Our main enemy”

The last missile North Korea launched on Dec. 18 was the Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile, its most advanced yet, fired toward the Sea of ​​Japan. In early January, North Korea conducted live artillery exercises on its west coast, close to the South Korean islands where civilians were urged to take refuge.

On Wednesday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called South Korea the country’s “main enemy.” “The historical moment has finally arrived when we must identify (South Korea) as the state most hostile to (North Korea),” assured Kim Jong Un, calling South Korea “our main enemy.”

Analysts say the comments mark a shift in North Korean policy and foreshadow Pyongyang taking a tougher stance in the future.

Last year, North Korea enshrined its status as a nuclear power in its constitution and launched several intercontinental ballistic missiles in violation of UN resolutions.