North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the sea while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Seoul (South Korea).
Information at a train station in Seoul (South Korea) about North Korea launching a missile
Yonhap news agency reported on January 6 that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has just launched an unidentified ballistic missile into the sea east of the country.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the missile launch and is analyzing it. NHK reported that the missile fell into the sea outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.
North Korea previously launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles on November 5, 2024. The latest launch took place while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was visiting Seoul, and two weeks before US President-elect Donald Trump took office.
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In another development, North Korea has just announced the Pyongyang International Marathon, after the event, which has been held annually, was suspended for the past six years.
A website run by North Korea's Sports Ministry offers registration instructions for the 31st Pyongyang International Marathon, which will take place on April 6.
The marathon was launched in 1981 to mark the birthday of late North Korean leader Kim Il-sung on April 15 and was held annually until it was postponed from 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Pyongyang's move has sparked speculation that the country is starting to lift pandemic-related border controls in earnest to allow foreign tourists to bring in foreign currency, according to Yonhap.
The competition will be open to both professionals and amateurs, offering four options including marathon, half marathon, 10km and 5km.
The race will start at Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang and pass famous landmarks in the North Korean capital, including the Pyongyang Grand Theatre and Mangyongdae Children's Palace.
Invitations will be sent out on January 20 to invite one male and one female athlete from each country to participate in the professional race, according to the announcement.
Amateur marathon runners from East Asia and Southeast Asia can apply through a travel agency affiliated with the North Korean Tourism Agency, while those from Singapore, China, Hong Kong and other regions must apply through a Beijing-based travel agency.
Registration fees are around $150 for the full marathon, around $100 for the half marathon, and around $70 for shorter races.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/trieu-tien-phong-ten-lua-dan-dao-lan-dau-trong-nam-2025-185250106104011439.htm
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