North Korea has fired an unidentified type of ballistic missile, according to reports from South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, which quotes the country’s military. br br A statement from the South’s Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said a projectile was launched from an area in the country’s western region.br br It comes after the US said last month that it had seen indications that Pyongyang could be preparing for a new test launch. br br In his New Year’s speech, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country was close to testing an intercontinental ballistic missile.br br That prompted a vow of an “overwhelming“ response from US Defence Secretary James Mattis when he travelled to South Korea earlier this month. br br North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests and a number of missile-related tests at an unprecedented rate since early last years. It has been seen by experts and officials to be making progress in its weapons capabilities.