North Korea has test-fired a ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan, Korea said in an apparent show of force against the planned deployment of a US missile defense system.
Washington quickly hit back, with the State Department saying it was aware of the reports and warning that it was prepared to “defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation.”
The latest test also comes, amid mounting tensions ahead of a planned US-South Korea joine military exercise later this month.
The missile was launched near the western North Korean city of Unyul at around 7:50 am Wednesday, South Korea’s Defense Ministry said.
The projectile flew some 1,000 kilometers and was believed to be a Rodong mid-range missile, the Ministry added.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said, Korea’s test missile landing off Japan’s coast is a ‘serious threat.’