This marks the first missile launch by the North this year, raising concerns of escalating provocative tests in the lead-up to South Korea's parliamentary elections in April and the U.S. presidential election in November.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff reported the launch of a ballistic missile from the capital region of North Korea on Sunday afternoon. The missile is believed to have flown approximately 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) before landing in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.

The launch is seen as a provocation by the North and is considered a serious threat to peace in the region by South Korea's military. They have stated their readiness to respond overwhelmingly to any further provocations by North Korea.

Experts suggest that the missile launched by North Korea might be a new intermediate-range ballistic missile with a solid-fuel engine, which the North claimed to have tested in mid-November last year. The missile's design primarily targets U.S. military bases in Guam, located about 3,400 kilometers (2,110 miles) from Pyongyang. However, with some adjustments, it could also be used to target U.S. military installations in Japan's Okinawa island.

Solid-fuel engines make missile launches harder to detect compared to liquid-fueled missiles that require fueling before launch. North Korea already possesses a growing arsenal of solid-fuel short-range missiles aimed at South Korea. However, their existing intermediate-range missile, Hwasong-12, is powered by liquid-fuel engines.

Japan's Defense Ministry, on the other hand, has analyzed the data and believes that the missile fired by North Korea may have been a short-range missile rather than an intermediate-range one. The discrepancies in data between Japan and South Korea have not been immediately explained.

Following the launch, senior diplomats from South Korea, the United States, and Japan held a trilateral call, condemning the North Korean launch and affirming their commitment to strengthening security cooperation in response to any North Korean provocation.

The last missile launch by North Korea took place on December 18, 2021, when it test-fired its Hwasong-18 solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile, its most advanced weapon. In recent months, North Korea has been increasing its nuclear and missile capabilities, while also expanding its military cooperation with Russia.

With North Korea's heightened aggression and provocative rhetoric, concerns are mounting, as experts suggest that the North's leader, Kim Jong Un, may be seeking to influence the outcomes of elections by supporting more liberal candidates in South Korea and hoping for a return of former U.S. President Donald Trump, whose policies he may perceive as more favorable.

Furthermore, it was recently revealed that the U.S. government has evidence of missiles provided by North Korea being used in the war in Ukraine, leading to accusations that the missile transfer supports Russia's aggression and provides North Korea with valuable military insights.

As tensions rise in the Korean Peninsula, the visit of North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui to Russia, scheduled for Monday to Wednesday, further adds to concerns about Pyongyang's intentions and its implications for global security.

The situation between North Korea and its adversaries remains fluid and requires close attention as it could have far-reaching consequences beyond the region.