North Korea conducted a missile test firing a mid-range or longer ballistic missile from near Pyongyang into the waters off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula. The launch caused an evacuation order that was later lifted in northern Japan. Japan initially urged residents in the northern prefecture of Hokkaido to take shelter. The Japanese Coast Guard later said there was no longer a possibility of the missile falling on Hokkaido or its surroundings. The ballistic missile is believed to have already fallen.The test involved a previously unknown type of solid-fueled missile, known as the Hwasong-18, which experts say solidified North Korea’s ability to strike the US more easily, with the missile big enough to carry nuclear warheads. It is also believed that the missile is a significant improvement on the Musudan intermediate-range missiles that can target US military bases in Asia and endanger the US territory of Guam. This is the first missile test the country has conducted since President Biden took office.