North Korea has launched a ballistic missile toward its eastern waters, according to a statement from South Korean military officials. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported in a brief statement that North Korea launched a ballistic missile on Thursday morning, though no further details were provided. This marks North Korea’s first weapons test in over two months, occurring just three days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to intensify efforts to fully prepare his nuclear forces for combat against the US and its allies. Kim’s pledge came as he described North Korea as facing a …