ABC News September 12, 2023

North Korea launches possible ballistic missile: Japan's Ministry of Defense

WATCH: Gen. Milley talks Russia and North Korea ahead of Kim Jong Un’s visit with Putin

North Korea launched a possible ballistic missile on Wednesday, Japan's Ministry of Defense said in a tweet.

The missile launch comes as North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un arrives in Russia for a high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A short while after the initial news broke, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed they had detected two short-range ballistic missiles fired from the Sunan area into the East Sea.

Jung Yeon-je/AFP via Getty Images
People watch a television screen showing a news broadcast with file footage of a North Korean missile test, at a railway station in Seoul on Sept. 13, 2023.
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"Our military has strengthened its surveillance and vigilance in preparation for additional launches, while maintaining a full preparedness while working closely with the U.S.,” read a statement the JCS released Wednesday morning local time.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.