A BALLISTIC missile was fired by North Korea early on Tuesday, South Korean military officials have said.

       At least one projectile was fired towards the seas off Japan in the suspected weapons tests - the latest in a chilling series from the elusive nation.

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       The news comes after a slew of weapons tests from North Korea Credit: AP

       The missile was launched around 10:17am near the port city of Sinpo, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.

       “Our military is closely monitoring the situation and maintaining readiness posture in close cooperation with the United States, to prepare for possible additions launches,” a statement said.

       Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called the launch “regrettable.”

       The launches may be part of North Korea coming back to international affairs after going on hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

       Last week, a video showing a bizarre training exercise was released with Kim seen clapping and grinning along with his sister Kim Yo-Jong.

       Negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang have been at a stalemate for over two years.

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       Following his fallout with then-President Donald Trump, the North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un announced that he would not take steps towards denuclearization.

       The Kim regime has also refused offers from the Biden administration to continue talks unless the US holds off on their sanctions against the country.

       The recent weapons test comes as intelligence officials from the US, South Korea and Japan were set to meet in Seoul to discuss the stalemate from the nation up north.

       SOUTH KOREA ARMS FAIR

       Analysts believe North Korea may have been trying to upstage South Korea’s arms fair.

       Representatives from hundreds of international companies came to Seoul for the International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition opening ceremony.

       Attack helicopters, fighter jets, drones and other weapons are set to be displayed.

       South Korea is also preparing to fire its first space launch vehicle on Thursday which will definitely ruffle some feathers up north.

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       South Korean officials would not say what was launched by the elusive country Credit: AP

       Kim Jong-un poses near HUGE nuclear missile and warns of war with US and South Korea

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