SEOUL, 22 October (H.S.): North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward its eastern waters on Wednesday, a provocative launch conducted just days before South Korea is set to host a major international summit attended by world leaders.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the launch in a brief statement but did not immediately release details on the weapon's trajectory or range.The timing of the launch is significant, as it comes days before the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) is scheduled to convene in the South Korean city of Gyeongju.

High-profile leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, are expected to attend the talks.The test is the latest in a series of military displays by Pyongyang, which unveiled a new long-range missile at a massive military parade earlier this month.

That event, marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers' Party, was attended by top dignitaries from China and Russia, highlighting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's growing diplomatic footing on the world stage even as he continues to advance his nuclear and missile programs.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar