Germany Condemns North Korea Ballistic Missile Launch Toward East Sea

German Foreign Ministry condemned North Korea’s short-range ballistic missile launch Thursday and asked for an immediate stoppage to the development and testing of such weapons as per international law.

The German foreign ministry said the missile launch was a threat to peace and stability and it urged North Korea to refrain from further developments and testing of ballistic missiles as per numerous UN resolutions.

North Korea fired the missile toward the East Sea from the eastern Wonsan area at around 5 p.m., South Korea’s military said, according to Yonhap News Agency. The military provided no additional details about the missile.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said South Korean and U.S. officials detected and shared information about North Korea’s related movements from the initial stage. The two countries were analyzing the missile’s specifications.

South Korea’s military said it had increased surveillance for possible additional launches. Forces maintained a “full readiness posture” and shared information with the United States and Japan.

South Korea’s presidential national security office convened a meeting with defense ministry and military officials. The office called the launch a provocation that violated U.N. Security Council resolutions and urged North Korea to stop.

The launch came more than a month after North Korea tested a tactical ballistic missile, new multiple rocket launchers and other weapons on June 25. It also preceded the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise expected later this month.

This is a developing story. Virginia Times will update as information becomes available.