On Sunday, North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the ocean off its east coast. 

This comes in anticipation of upcoming military exercises involving South Korean and American forces, as well as a trip to the area by US Vice President Kamala Harris.

The short-range ballistic missile, according to South Korea's military, was 

 just before 7 a.m. local time from a location close to the Taechon area of North Pyongyang Province. 

South Korea declared in a statement that North Korea's launch was "a grave provocation that threatens the peace and security of the Korean peninsula and the world community."

North Korean military parade | Image: KCNA

The launch was denounced by South Korea's National Security Council as an unjustified act of provocation and an apparent violation of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions during an emergency meeting to explore response strategies.

Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada of Japan claimed that it was outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone and that there had been no reports of shipping or air traffic issues.

. If cruise missile launches are included, this one marks the nineteenth, an unparalleled rate, according to Hamada.

South Korea's reporting about the North Korean missile launch. File: AP

No sight of cooperation amongst world powers: 

"North Korea's behavior poses a threat to the peace and security of our country, the region, and the world community and to do this as the Ukraine invasion unfolds is unacceptable," Hamada said.

The launch occurs after the USS Ronald Reagan, a nuclear-powered American aircraft carrier, docked in South Korea on September 26 for a four-day exercise with South Korean forces, and before Harris's planned trip to Seoul this week.

Russia and China, who have urged all parties to avoid taking actions that would heighten regional tensions, have also criticized the drills and called for a relaxation of the sanctions.

USS Ronald Reagan arrives at the Republic of Korea Fleet base in Busan, Credit: US Navy

North Korea launched a ballistic missile before US VP’s visit

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