North Korea 'fires ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan': Kim Jong Un 'tests projectile' ahead of US drills and Vice President Kamala Harris' visit to the region amid tensions

North Korea has fired a suspected ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan just days before US military drills and a visit by Vice President Kamala Harris to the region amid regional tensions, South Korea and Japan's leadership have said.

South Korea's military have claimed North Korea fired a single, short-range ballistic missile fired from near the Taechon area of North Pyongyan Province just before 7am

Since the beginning of 2022, North Korea has dialed up its testing activities to a record pace - testing more than 30 ballistic weapons, including its first intercontinental ballistic missiles since 2017 - as it continues to expand its military capabilities amid a prolonged stalemate in nuclear diplomacy. 

The launch came as the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and its strike group arrived in South Korea for the two countries' joint military exercise to meant to show their strength against growing North Korean threats.

It comes just days before a planned visit by the U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. 

Mr Hamada said it fell outside Japan's exclusive economic zone and there were no reports of problems with shipping or air traffic. 

Japan's public broadcaster NHK said the object appeared to have fallen outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.

Many of the short-range missiles tested by North Korea in recent years have been designed to evade missile defences by maneuvering during flight and flying on a lower, 'depressed' trajectory, experts have said.

Mr Hamada added: 'If you include launches of cruise missiles this is the nineteenth launch, which is an unprecedented pace. 

'North Korea's action represent a threat to the peace and security of our country, the region and the international community and to do this as the Ukraine invasion unfolds is unforgivable.'