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North Korea Tests Missile Ahead of Election

South Korea Says Test Seen as Gauge of Support for Conservative Candidate

North Korea has tested a new missile, according to South Korea's military. The test comes just days before a presidential election in South Korea, which will be seen as a gauge of support for conservative candidate Yoon Suk-yeol, who has pledged to take a hard line against the North.

The missile was fired from Sunan, near Pyongyang, and flew about 800 kilometers (500 miles) before landing in the Sea of Japan, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. The statement did not specify the type of missile that was tested.

The test is the latest in a series of provocations by North Korea, which has been ramping up its weapons program in recent months. In January, North Korea tested a new hypersonic missile, and in March, it fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile.

The tests have raised concerns in the region and beyond. The United States has condemned the tests as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions, and Japan has called on North Korea to refrain from further provocations.

The test comes at a sensitive time for South Korea, which is holding a presidential election on March 9. Conservative candidate Yoon Suk-yeol has pledged to take a hard line against North Korea, while his liberal opponent, Lee Jae-myung, has pledged to engage with the North.

The test could have a significant impact on the election. If Yoon is elected, he is likely to increase pressure on North Korea, which could lead to further tensions in the region.