Seoul: South Korea's defense ministry on Saturday "strongly condemns" North Korea's suspected ballistic missile launch, calling for the North to halt acts that heighten tension between the Koreas. The ministry expressed deep regret over the incident and urged North Korea to cease activities that escalate regional tensions.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the ministry issued a notice to the press highlighting its condemnation of the ballistic missile launch and its disappointment in North Korea's statement criticizing South Korea-U.S. annual exercises and conferences. The defense ministry's statement emphasized the need for North Korea to "immediately halt" actions that increase tensions between the two nations.

On Friday, North Korea launched a suspected short-range ballistic missile toward the East Sea. This action came a day after North Korea warned of appropriate measures in response to the latest U.S. sanctions on Pyongyang.