(2nd LD) N. Korea fires ballistic missile: S. Korea

(ATTN: UPDATES with NSC meeting, other details)

SEOUL, April 5 (Yonhap) -- North Korea launched what is believed to be a ballistic missile on Wednesday into the East Sea, South Korea's military said, as the country's presidential office convened an emergency National Security Council (NSC) meeting to discuss the issue.

"North Korea fired a projectile into the East Sea from a site in the vicinity of Sinpo, South Hamgyong Province, this morning," the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.

The exact type of the projectile was not immediately confirmed, but JCS officials said it's not an artillery round.

They added it was fired from the ground, not under the water. The North sometimes launches missiles from submarines near the Sinpo region.

The launch at around 6:40 a.m. (Seoul time) came ahead of summit talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping later this week.

Two weeks ago, the North test-fired a missile, which ended in failure.

The NSC meeting will open at 8:30 a.m., presided over by Kim Kwan-jin, national security advisor to Acting President Hwang Kyo-han.

lcd@yna.co.kr

odissy@yna.co.kr
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