North Korea Launches Unidentified Ballistic Missile: Seoul

US and South Korean officials have warned for weeks that Pyongyang may conduct a seventh nuclear test.

North Korea launched at least one ballistic missile into waters off its east coast on Sunday, South Korea's military said, after Seoul and Washington staged their first joint drills involving a US aircraft carrier in more than four years.

Pyongyang has doubled down on upgrading its weapons programme this year despite facing crippling economic sanctions.

"North Korea fired an unidentified ballistic missile(s) into the East Sea," Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said Sunday morning, referring to the Sea of Japan.

The Japanese Coastguard said "possible ballistic missile(s)" had been launched from North Korea, citing the defence ministry.