North Korea launches a ballistic missile while Blinken visits Seoul by Reuters

SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the sea off its east coast on Monday, coinciding with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Seoul during a period of political unrest in South Korea.

The South Korean military confirmed the missile launch, while the Japanese Coast Guard also said that a projectile believed to be a North Korean missile had fallen.

Earlier Monday, Blinken met with acting South Korean President Choe Sang-mok, stressed Washington’s “steadfast” defense commitment to the country and called for close diplomatic and security contacts to deter potential provocations from North Korea, according to an official statement.

Choi represents ousted President Yoon Suk-yul, whose declaration of martial law on December 3 stunned the country and led to his suspension from office on December 14.

Monday’s launch was Pyongyang’s first since November 5, when it fired at least seven short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast.