North Korea fired a ballistic missile out to sea off its east coast on Monday, coinciding with a visit by U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Seoul during a period of political turmoil in South Korea.

North Korea fired off at least one apparent ballistic missile on Monday, its first launch of the year, as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Seoul for what was likely his final visit to the region as top diplomat. The Defense Ministry in Tokyo said the missile had splashed down just several minutes after its launch was announced.

North Korea fired a suspected ballistic missile Monday, Japan’s coast guard said, ratcheting up tensions in the region as political turmoil continues in neighboring South Korea.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to South Korea on a mission to reaffirm America's "ironclad" alliance with the Asian country, the State Department said Friday.