North Korea Fires Missile into Korean Peninsula and Japan

At least one missile was fired by North Korea into the Korean peninsula and Japan on Tuesday.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Analyzing the Situation

The launch was reported by South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, according to Yonhap, who said they were still analyzing what type of missile had been fired, and that it had landed in the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.

Possible Second Missile Launch

Japan’s Coast Guard said a second missile may also have been launched, according to Kyodo News agency.

Continued Weapons Testing by Pyongyang

The launch is the latest in a series of weapons tests by Pyongyang, and comes as Seoul and Washington ramp up defense cooperation in the face of soaring tensions with the North.

Nuclear Consultative Group Meeting and Port Visit

On Tuesday, they held the first Nuclear Consultative Group meeting in Seoul and announced an American nuclear submarine was making a port visit to Busan for the first time since 1981.

The move had been expected to trigger a strong response from North Korea, which baulks at having U.S. nuclear assets deployed around the Korean peninsula.

Recent Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Test

The launch also comes less than a week after leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the firing of the country’s newest intercontinental ballistic missile, the solid-fuel Hwasong-18.

Ramped Up Weapons Development

Diplomacy between Pyongyang and Seoul has stalled and Kim has called for ramping up weapons development, including tactical nukes.

Joint Military Exercises and Detained U.S. Soldier

In response, Seoul and Washington have staged joint military exercises with advanced stealth jets and U.S. strategic assets.

The launch also comes as Washington confirmed Tuesday that a U.S. soldier is believed to have been detained by North Korea after crossing the heavily fortified border.