North Korea fires suspected ballistic missile, Japan says | South China Morning Post

North Korea fired a suspected ballistic missile off its east coast on Wednesday, authorities in the region reported, underscoring leader Kim Jong-un's New Year vow to bolster the military to counter an unstable international situation. Japan 's coastguard, which first reported the launch, said it could be a ballistic missile, but did not provide further details. "Since last year, North Korea has repeatedly launched missiles, which is very regrettable," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters. South Korea 's Joint Chiefs of Staff also reported that nuclear-armed North Korea fired a presumed ballistic missile from an inland location toward the…