The missile hit the sea east of South Korea early Friday. It is estimated to have traveled about 700 kilometers after being launched from Taekwan in eastern North Korea. It is unclear what type of missile it is.
North Korea has increased the pace of its weapons tests in recent weeks, including by firing alleged hypersonic missiles and cruise missiles.
Analysts told AFP that Pyongyang was likely provoked by its democratic neighbor South Korea's ambitions to build a nuclear submarine. During a visit to the region last week, US President Donald Trump promised to help South Korea with advanced military technology so that such a submarine could be built.
North Korea is the world's most closed country and a militarized society. It has long been known that the country has a "significant" amount of highly enriched uranium, a material necessary for making nuclear warheads, and dictator Kim Jong-Un wants North Korea to be recognized as a nuclear power.
Under UN resolutions, North Korea is prohibited from launching ballistic missiles or conducting nuclear tests. Repeated violations have led to the country being placed under extensive sanctions.
