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The Joint Chiefs of Staff of the South Korean military reported North Korea fired an unidentified projectile into waters off its east coast on Saturday.

Pyongyang's newest missile launch comes just three days after it last shot a missile, raising fears that it will perform a nuclear test.

North Korea has fired at least one projectile into the East Sea, according to Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff.

North Korea has launched an object "likely to be a ballistic missile," according to Japan's coast guard, which cited information from the country's Defense Ministry.

The launch will most likely be the nuclear-armed country's 15th this year.

North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile on Wednesday, according to Seoul and Tokyo, however Pyongyang's state media, which usually reports on weapons tests, remained silent.

Despite harsh international sanctions over its weapons programmes, North Korea has significantly increased its tests this year, refusing US offers of discussions.

The test on Saturday came just days before South Korea's new hawkish President Yoon Suk-yeol takes office on Tuesday.