(LEAD) N. Korea fires ballistic missile toward East Sea: S. Korean military

▲ This file photo, released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on Jan. 18, 2022, shows what the North claims to be a tactical guided missile being launched the previous day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) N Korea-missile launch

(LEAD) N. Korea fires ballistic missile toward East Sea: S. Korean military

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with details)

By Chae Yun-hwan

SEOUL, Jan. 14 (Yonhap) -- North Korea fired an unidentified ballistic missile toward the East Sea on Sunday, South Korea's military said, in its first missile launch this year.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected the launch but gave no further details.

South Korea's Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency last week the North could test-fire solid-fuel intermediate-range ballistic missiles as early as this month and may launch a long-range missile at normal angles.

The North last fired a Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile at a lofted trajectory into the East Sea on Dec. 18.

The latest launch comes amid already heightened tensions after North Korea fired artillery shells near the maritime border in the Yellow Sea from Jan. 5 to 7.

Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said he has no intention of avoiding war with South Korea, and threatened to annihilate the South if it attempts to use force against the North as he inspected major munitions factories.

South Korean officials have said the North is likely to stage provocative acts early this year and escalate tensions ahead of South Korea's general elections in April.

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