By North Korea has launched a ballistic missile toward its eastern waters, according to a statement from South Korean military officials.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported in a brief statement that the missile was launched on Thursday morning, but they provided no further details. This marks North Korea’s first weapons test in over two months and comes just three days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to increase efforts to fully prepare his nuclear forces for combat against the United States and its allies.
Kim made this pledge while describing North Korea as facing a serious threat due to what he called the reckless expansion of the U.S.-led regional military alliance, which he claims is transforming into a nuclear force.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, in an interview with CNN from the presidential office on May 23, proposed the establishment of a consultative body with North Korea. The aim of this initiative is to ease tensions and revive economic cooperation between the two neighboring countries.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s cabinet has recently approved a presidential decree to establish a new military command, expected to be operational by the end of the year. This command will focus on strategic operations aimed at enhancing deterrence against growing military threats from North Korea.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, seated on the far right, 
