North Korea on Sunday reportedly test fired a ballistic missile from North Pyongan province in what would be its first such test of the year and an implicit challenge to US President Donald Trump’s new administration.
South Korea, Japan and USA condemned the missile launch. USA and Japan held a joint press conference following the news.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the launch as “absolutely intolerable.” “North Korea’s most recent missile launch is absolutely intolerable. North Korea must fully comply with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” Abe said.
Donald Trump ensured that US will stand behind Japan, one of its allies.
“I just want everybody to understand and fully know that the United States of America stands behind Japan, its great ally, 100%,” Trump said.
“The South Korean government and the international community are working together to take punitive actions appropriate for this launch,” acting South Korean President Hwang Kyo-ahn said.
The missile traveled 500 kilometers (310 miles) and landed in the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea.
US system tracked the missile until it went to the ocean, CNN reported.
