"North Korea Launches Suspected Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile"

North Korea has fired a suspected intermediate-range ballistic missile into the sea off its east coast, prompting condemnation from Japan and heightened monitoring from South Korea. The launch comes after a Russian veto ended UN expert monitoring of North Korean sanctions violations and ahead of South Korea's general elections. Despite international sanctions, Pyongyang continues to develop its military arsenal and has declared South Korea its "principal enemy," while the US and South Korea recently staged joint military exercises, further escalating tensions.