North Korea has fired an unidentified projectile from a region near its west coast, South Korea's military says. Source: MSNBC
Kim Jong-Un has supervised the test of a ballistic missile controlled by a precision guidance system and ordered the development of more powerful strategic weapons, the North's official KCNA news agency says.
The North Korean leader expressed conviction that the country "would make a greater leap forward in this spirit to send bigger 'gift package' to the Yankees," in retaliation for American military provocation, KCNA said.
Pyongyang on Monday launched a Scud-class missile into the sea and the North's official media routinely report on such missile launches on the following day.
North Korea confirmed its recent test-firing of a ballistic missile was "successful", the state-run news agency KCNA reported today, a day after the projectile landed in waters close to Japan.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un "guided" the launch - the third missile test by the nuclear-armed regime in less than three weeks - which was carried out in defiance of UN sanctions warnings and US threats of possible military action.
"The ballistic rocket flew toward the east sky where the day broke and correctly hit a planned target point... after flying over the middle shooting range," the report said.
South Korea's military earlier said the Scud-type missile travelled eastward for 450 km.
Japan said it believed it had fallen into its exclusive economic zone, extending 322 nautical kilometres from the coast.
The missile test triggered swift condemnation from US President Donald Trump who said it showed "disrespect" for neighbouring China, the North's sole major ally, which has sought to dampen tensions over Pyongyang's weapons programme.
Several rounds of UN sanctions have done little to stop the isolated regime from pushing ahead with its ambition to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that can deliver a nuclear warhead to the continental US.
The US Navy has reportedly ordered a third nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to join the San Diego-based USS Carl Vinson off North Korea amid increasing tensions.
Sources told news outlet the Voice of America that the USS Nimitz, which has scope to carry 90 aircraft, would join the Vinson and the USS Ronald Reagan in the volatile region.
The Times of San Diego reported that the navy rarely deploys three aircraft carriers to the same region.
The decision comes as North Korea has stepped up missile testing and vowed to develop weapons that can strike the United States.
Trump slams North Korea missile test
President Donald Trump has called North Korean's latest missile test a slap in the face for its main ally China. Photo/AP
Earlier, US President Donald Trump called North Korea's latest missile test a slap in the face for its main ally China, which the US leader praised for trying to rein in the regime.
"North Korea has shown great disrespect for their neighbour, China, by shooting off yet another ballistic missile ... but China is trying hard!" Trump said in a tweet.
North Korea launched its 12th ballistic missile test this year on Monday, this one falling provocatively close to Japan.
South Korea's military said the Scud-type missile travelled for 450 kilometres, and Japan said it was estimated to have fallen into its exclusive economic zone, extending 200 nautical miles (320km) from the coast.
The test was carried out in defiance of UN sanctions warnings, amid fears that Pyongyang may conduct another nuclear test.
Trump declared at the G7 summit last week that the "big problem" of North Korea "will be solved" and has previously warned that no option is off the table.
North Korea has shown great disrespect for their neighbor, China, by shooting off yet another ballistic missile...but China is trying hard!
But so far Washington has opted for sanctions and diplomatic pressure, looking to China, the North's closest ally, to step up economic pressure on Pyongyang.
In an interview with US network CBS overnight before the latest launch, US Secretary of Defence James Mattis said a war with North Korea would be "catastrophic."
Japan vows to take action
Japan's prime minister has vowed to take "specific action" after North Korea launched another missile that plunged into the Sea of Japan.
"As we agreed at the recent G7, the issue of North Korea is a top priority for the international community," Shinzo Abe said in a televised address on Monday. "Working with the United States, we will take specific action to deter North Korea."
It also lodged a protest against the test-firing of the missile, the third this month as Pyongyang ramps up its efforts to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of hitting the US mainland.
China and Russia condemned the rocket firing but called for restraint.
Saying the UN Security Council has "clear rules" about the use of missiles, China urged North Korea not to violate them.
"The situation on the Korean peninsula is complex and sensitive, and we hope all relevant sides maintain calm and exercise restraint, ease the tense situation as soon as possible and put the issue back onto the correct track of peaceful dialogue," China's foreign ministry said in a statement.
The Kremlin called on countries in the region to refrain from "military activity," a Russian news agency quoted the deputy foreign minister as saying.
