{O/C} In an apparent resumption of missile tests, North Korea today launched what is believed to be a ballistic missile into the sea, the eighth of its kind this year.
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Experts say the North's launches aim to force the U.S.' hand in offering concessions such as sanctions relief amid the impasse in denuclearisation talks.
Today's launch was detected by both Japan and South Korea, whose Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement the ballistic missile was fired towards the North's eastern waters, albeit giving no details of how far and high it went.
The statement also cited South Korea's preparedness for additional launches by its neighbour.
South Korea's presidential office then said plans to hold an emergency national security council meeting tomorrow to discuss today's launch are afoot.
A record number of monthly missile tests since leader Kim Jong-un took the helm was reported last month. North Korea had halted its weapons tests prior to the Beijing Olympics, which commenced earlier this month.
Some experts had predicted North Korea would resume tests and possibly launch bigger weapons after the Games.
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