Tokyo and Seoul - In a concerning development, North Korea launched a suspected ballistic missile on Sunday afternoon, escalating tensions in the region, according to Japan and South Korea. The launch, believed to be the first test of 2024, was reported to be a shorter-range ballistic missile than previous tests.

Japan's Defense Ministry confirmed that the missile appeared to be a medium-range projectile based on its flight time. South Korean officials stated that the missile was launched from the Pyongyang area and reportedly traveled around 1,000 km, or approximately 621 miles, before landing in the East Sea.

Expressing their condemnation, South Korea's military issued a statement labeling the launch as a clear provocation that could seriously threaten peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. The three countries - Japan, South Korea, and the United States - have been working closely together to analyze the launch and its potential implications.

With this latest launch, North Korea follows its recent long-range intercontinental ballistic missile test, which Prime Minister Fumio Kishida estimated to have a range of about 9,300 miles. However, Sunday's test was of a medium-range missile, according to South Korea.

The cooperation between Japan, the U.S., and South Korea has significantly advanced in response to North Korea's aggressive posturing and displays of military strength. A real-time network has been activated to swiftly exchange tracking data on missile threats, enhancing their ability to monitor and respond to North Korean provocations.

Japanese defense officials reported that the missile was fired from inland North Korea, following a northeast trajectory. They estimated its maximum altitude to have been over 30 miles, with a distance of at least 310 miles.

Japanese Coast Guard issued warnings to ships, urging them to stay away from any potential missile debris and immediately alert authorities. As of now, no information regarding damage to ships has been received.

Meanwhile, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui plans to visit Russia, as reported by the state-owned Russian news service, TASS. The visit, starting on January 15, is at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

As tensions escalate in the region, Japan's government and defense officials continue to assess the situation and gather relevant information. Further updates will be provided once more details become available.