North Korea has launched its third missile strike in recent days amid rising tensions in the region

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North Korea fired an unidentified missile into the sea off its east coast on Friday, the South Korean military said.

The Japanese Coast Guard also confirmed that North Korea fired something that could be a ballistic missile and that it fell to the ground.

This is the third rocket the secret state has launched so far this year as tensions in the region rise.

North Korea fired another ballistic missile in a week last Tuesday after claiming it fired a “hypersonic missile” last Wednesday that successfully hit a target.

The launch came after a New Year message from leader Kim Jong Un, who promises to bolster the army to deal with volatile international prospects.

UN Security Council resolutions ban all North Korean ballistic missiles and nuclear tests, and impose sanctions on programs.

North Korea has said it is open to talks, but only if the U.S. and others abandon “hostile policies” such as sanctions and military exercises.

Few observers expect Kim to ever completely surrender her nuclear arsenal. North Korea claims that its missile tests and other military activities are aimed at self-defense and are similar to those regularly conducted by other countries.

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