North Korea launches missile as Blinken pays final visit to Seoul

North Korea launched a ballistic missile on Monday, South Korea’s military said, as the top US diplomat was meeting key officials in Seoul.

“North Korea sent unknown ballistic missile towards the East Sea,” South Korea’s military said, referring to the body of water also known as the Sea of Japan.

The missile appeared to have fallen into the sea, the Japanese defence ministry and Japanese coastguard said in separate statements.

Earlier on Monday, outgoing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, and emphasised Washington’s “unwavering” defence commitment to the country.

Blinken called for close diplomatic and security communication to deter against possible North Korean provocations, according to an official statement.

Choi is standing in for impeached president Yoon Suk-yeol whose December 3 declaration of martial law stunned the country and led to his suspension from duties on December 14.

  

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