N.Korea conducts yet another missile test: Seoul

By Alex Jensen

SEOUL (AA) - North Korea conducted its latest ballistic missile test Sunday, according to Seoul's military -- its eighth this year -- coming exactly one week after the reclusive state's last launch.

"North Korea fired an unidentified ballistic missile in the eastern direction at around 4:59 p.m. [0759GMT] from the vicinity of Pukchang in Pyeongannam-do," South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff announced.

The U.S. Pacific Command separately described the missile as medium range. It flew over 500 kilometers, as the North aims to master the ability to strike targets such as U.S. bases in Asia and even the American mainland.

New South Korean President Moon Jae-in called for a "firm" response, his spokesperson said, while Seoul's National Security Council convened an emergency meeting.

The North's previous test took place within days of Moon's inauguration. The South's leader earlier pledged to boost inter-Korean cooperation in order to halt Pyongyang's nuclear weapons ambitions.

North Korea is barred from nuclear and ballistic missile testing under numerous UN Security Council resolutions, a prohibition it has routinely ignored.