North Korea Test Fires Ballistic Submarine Missile

According to South Korean sources North Korea test fired a submarine-based ballistic missile from its east coast on Wednesday.

The North Korean launch took place at approximately 5:30 a.m. local Seoul time, according to a statement from the South Korean Foreign Ministry. North Korea's launch took place in the waters, off of Sinpo, South Hamgyong Province, in the early morning, the South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said. "If the North Korean regime continues to pursue its nuclear and missile capabilities and ignore severe economic difficulties of its people, it will bring about more severe sanctions and diplomatic isolation. It should also realize that it will hasten its self-destruction," the country's Foreign Ministry said.

"Our government is prepared with full readiness posture to protect our people and the safety of our country and will thoroughly respond to any of North Korea's provocation." This ballistic missile testing comes a few days after South Korean military officials joined with United States military officials for a training exercises in South Korea.

Sources have told news agencies The US Pacific Command tracked the missile over and into the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, which is approximately 300 miles off the coast of North Korea-which is much greater than their last missile launch, Wednesday's launch has demonstrated that North Korea has upped their efforts to research and obtain long range missiles which could eventually be used against North Korean enemies such as South Korea, the United States and their allies. This was the first time a North Korean missile entered Japan's air defense identification zone, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.

(Photo Shows Kim Jung Un Watching Launch of Submarine Ballistic Missile Launch From North Korean Naval Ship)

"This is a threat to Japan's security and an unforgivable reckless act that significantly damages the peace and stability of the region," Abe said Wednesday morning. A senior US State Department official told CNN the US is trying to determine whether the launch was successful.

The missile is presumed to be a KN-11, said Navy Cmdr. Dave Benham, a spokesman for US Pacific Command. The United States will continue all efforts to investigate this unauthorized missile launch and will determine the proper steps in order to ensure that the safety of South Korea, Japan and their allies are no longer affected or placed in danger.

(Excerpt Courtesy of CNN News Agency)