North Korea fires ‘ballistic missile’ towards Japan in fourth ‘provocative’ launch of 2022 by Kim Jong-un

NORTH Korea fired has fired what could be a ballistic missile towards Japan – in its fourth launch of 2022. South Korea’s military and Japan’s coast guard reported that the North had fired an “unidentified projectile” toward the ocean off its east coast. APNorth Korea appears to have launched its fourth ballistic missile this year[/caption] Since New Year’s Day, North Korea has conducted three other tests, an unusual frequency of weapons tests. Two of those launches involved single “hypersonic missiles” capable of high speeds and manoeuvring after launch, while the last, on Friday, involved a pair of short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) fired from train cars. It was not immediately known what kind of missile was involved in Monday’s reported launch. The series of launches prompted U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration to impose its first sanctions against Pyongyang on Wednesday, and to call on the U.N. Security Council to blacklist several North Korean individuals and entities. North Korea has defended the missile tests as its sovereign right to self-defence and accused the United States of intentionally escalating the situation with new sanctions. Most read in News HUNT FOR KILLER Police warn villagers to ‘lock windows & doors’ as woman, 86, murdered BRONCO TRAGEDY Tributes to ‘beautiful’ bride-to-be who died while riding bucking bronco PRINCE OR PAUPER 5 unanswered questions about how Prince Andrew funds jet-set lifestyle BANGED UP My brother was jailed for 3 years… but TWO DECADES later he’s still locked up TEDDY TANTRUMS Andrew 'shouted and screamed' if maids messed up his teddy bear collection 'RUIN HIM' Andrew rape accuser vows to leave him 'destroyed & broke' in £10m court battle