North Korea launches ballistic missile out to sea days after accusing US of spying with ‘shocking’ consequences threat

NORTH Korea has launched another ballistic missile out to sea, South Korea claims.

The launch - North Korea's 12th of the year - occurred early Wednesday morning, just days after the country accused the United States of spying.

The announcement was made by South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, per the .

The missile was launched toward North Korea's eastern waters, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

It was not clear how far the missile went.

The South Korean military said it was a long-range missile, according to .

Japan’s Defense Ministry also confirmed that a possible missile launch was detected.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has ordered his staff to gather information related to the launch and stay prepared for any unplanned incidents, Reuters reported.

Wednesday's launch comes just days after North Korea released multiple statements accusing the United States of flying a military plane to spy on the area.

Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, claimed that the United States flew the spy plane flew over the North eight times in a single day.

“A shocking incident would occur in the long run in the 20-40 kilometer section in which the U.S. spy planes habitually intrude into the sky above the economic water zone” of North Korea, Kim Yo Jong said, per the AP.

The United States and South Korea dismissed the statements, despite North Korea's threat.

Meanwhile, experts say that North Korea is planning to celebrate a holiday on July 27 with a large parade to commemorate its claim to victory in the Korean War against the United States and South Korea.

The holiday is also expected to include displays of military force, Reuters reports.