The projectile appeared to have landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ)North Korea fired an unidentified projectile toward the East Sea on Thursday, South Korea’s military said, with Japan’s defence authorities assessing it as a possible ballistic missile. NHK reported that the projectile appeared to have landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), with no immediate reports of damage or casualties.The launch comes amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula and ongoing US South Korea joint military exercises scheduled from August 17 to 27. North Korea has carried out several missile launches in recent weeks, including a ballistic missile test on August 11 that South Korean and Japanese officials said flew about 700 km.The latest development comes as South Korea estimated that North Korea possesses between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads, significantly higher than US President Donald Trump’s figure of 57. South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back told lawmakers that the 80 to 120 estimate was based on assessments by private research organisations and could not be independently verified by the South Korean military.Trump said on Wednesday that he plans to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this year and described their relationship as good. His comments come as Washington seeks to revive engagement with Pyongyang after ordering a reduction in US participation in joint military exercises with South Korea.North Korea has responded cautiously to the US move. Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of Kim Jong Un, said the US policy towards North Korea remains hostile despite the reduction in military drills with South Korea. She said the exercises remained provocative and aggressive, while describing the personal relationship between Trump and Kim as “excellent”. Kim Yo Jong also said she was unaware of any recent communication between the two leaders, despite Trump saying he had received a response from Kim.