A "projectile" has been launched from North Korea's northwest coast, according to the South Korean military. Speaking to Reuters, an official stated that the type of projectile has not been confirmed, but it is thought to be a ballistic missile. News of the launch was also confirmed to NBC News by U.S. military officials.
The projectile was launched early on Sunday morning, Korean time, from the north-western province of Kusong.
The test, coming amidst a period of extremely high tension between the U.S. and North Korea. The dictatorship last month conducted two failed missile tests, a total of four over the past two months. It is believed that these tests, despite failing, did, however, prove fruitful for North Korea, allowing the nation's engineers and scientists to refine their systems. The tests had followed a succession of heated threats from President Trump and North Korea, with Trump's threats being met with frosty proclamations from North Korean state media. However, the tension was appearing to loosen slightly in recent days.
Both North Korean diplomats and President Trump had indicated that talks between the two nations were possible. Trump even went so far to say that he would be 'honored' to meet Kim Jong-Un, 'under the right circumstances.' Press secretary Sean Spicer stressed that manifold conditions would have to be met before the meeting was considered. It would be the first time that a sitting U.S. President had met the North Korean leader, and only the second time a U.S. President has done so, following Jimmy Carter's meeting with Kim Il-Sung in 1994, shortly before Sung's death.
Launch Follows South Korean Election
Should the projectile be confirmed to be a ballistic missile, it will be the first test firing since South Korean elections on Wednesday.
The nation elected former human rights lawyer Moon Jae-In as president on Wednesday. The new leader, elected with 41% of the vote, has urged caution in dealing with North Korea. Jae-In, a supporter of a gradual reunification of North and South Korea, with stronger business between the two nations being a significant hope for South Korean companies and politicians. As Time report, the South Korean government issued a notice on May 2nd calling for companies to bid on possible future infrastructure projects in North Korea, with the focus being on the mining industry. However, this most recent test may show that no matter who is the leader of South Korea, North Korea shows no sign of changing course.