North Korea fires long-range ballistic missile toward East Sea: JCS

North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward the East Sea, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) on Monday.

A file image of North Korea firing a ballistic missile during a drill on March 14. [YONHAP]

North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward the East Sea, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) on Monday.

The military said it is analyzing its flight distance, altitude and speed.

The JCS later confirmed North Korea fired a long-range missile from around Pyongyang at 8:24 a.m. without providing further details.

The latest missile launch comes as the nuclear-powered USS Missouri, a U.S. Virginia-class attack submarine, arrived at a naval port in Busan Sunday to strengthen combined defense posture with South Korea's Navy.

The JCS said the South Korean military is maintaining a "full readiness posture" through close communication with the United States and Japan.

Kim Tae-hyo, South Korea's principal deputy national security adviser, told reporters in Washington last Friday that North Korea may launch an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) later this month.

The North's latest launch is suspected to be an ICBM, which, if confirmed, will be the fifth such launch this year.

It is the North's second consecutive missile launch in two days.

North Korea fired one short-range ballistic missile toward the East Sea on Sunday night from around Pyongyang at about 10:38 p.m., which flew about 570 kilometers (354 miles) before landing in the East Sea.

Sunday marked the 12th anniversary of the death of late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

On Friday, South Korea and the United States held the second meeting of the bilateral Nuclear Consultative Group and agreed to complete establishing guidelines on the planning and operation of a shared nuclear strategy by the middle of next year.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]