North Korea has fired an unidentified type of ballistic missile, according to reports from South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, which quotes the country’s military. <br /><br /> A statement from the South’s Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said a projectile was launched from an area in the country’s western region.<br /><br /> It comes after the US said last month that it had seen indications that Pyongyang could be preparing for a new test launch. <br /><br /> In his New Year’s speech, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country was close to testing an intercontinental ballistic missile.<br /><br /> That prompted a vow of an “overwhelming“ response from US Defence Secretary James Mattis when he travelled to South Korea earlier this month. <br /><br /> North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests and a number of missile-related tests at an unprecedented rate since early last years. It has been seen by experts and officials to be making progress in its weapons capabilities.<br />
