North Korea has stepped up its missile test program, launching its 15th missile into the Sea of ​​Japan on Saturday.
North Korea has fired a short-range ballistic missile, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Japanese Coast Guard also confirmed that the missile had landed in Japan’s East Sea. The Japanese Defense Ministry also said the launch could be a ballistic missile. Japanese public broadcaster NHK quoted government sources as saying it was outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

North Korea fired a ballistic missile three days before the swearing-in of South Korea’s newly elected president, Yoon Sook-yeol, who has vowed to crack down on Pyongyang.

The North’s missile strike has been interpreted as a warning to South Korean newly elected president. US President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit South Korea on May 21 and meet with the newly elected president.