SEOUL - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Saturday fired a short-range ballistic missile into its eastern waters, local media reported on Saturday.

The DPRK launched what was believed to be a Scud-type missile into its eastern waters in a northeasterly direction from Jangsan Cape in the western coastal region of its Hwanghae-do province at around 9:40 p.m. local time, and the range is estimated at about 500 kilometers, Yonhap quoted the South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) as saying.

The JCS said in a statement that Pyongyang did not impose a no- fly, no-sail zone before the launch.

The JCS said they are analyzing the purpose of the launch, adding that South Korean military has kept utmost combat readiness in case of more possible launches.

It was the DPRK's 15th launch of missiles or artillery shells this year. The DPRK has launched more than 90 short- and medium- range missiles and shells since Feb. 21.