Japan condemns North Korea after launch of medium range ballistic missile

North Korea test-fired a Ballistic Missile over the Hokkaido Island in northern Japan at sea on Tuesday, which led to advice by Japan’s Prime Minister for residents to take cover and prompted widespread condemnation from Japanese Shinzo Abe and other world leaders. The test, one of the most provocative sides drawn, appears to have been from a recent Hwasong-12 midway racket, experts said.

It came when US-South Korea troops held annual military exercises on the peninsula, which Pyongyang strongly opposes.

North Korea’s missiles

Earlier in August, Pyongyang threatened to launch four missiles near the United States Pacific Guam island, as Trump warned that Pyongyang would face “fire and fury” if it carries action that threatens the US and its allies. In response to the latest test, President Trump warned that all options were on the table.

North Korea has conducted dozens of ballistic missile tests under leader Kim. Japan’s Shinzo Abe said North Korea's ruthless act is a grave threat to his country.

Abe said he had discussed with President Trump and they agreed to mount more pressure on Pyongyang. Abe also told newsmen that Trump said the US was 100 percent with Japan. Diplomats said The United Nations Security Council meets on Tuesday to discuss the test.

World leaders react

Earlier this month, the Security Council with 15 members unanimously approved new set of sanctions against North Korea in response to the two long-distance ballistic missiles tests in July. The South Korean Army said the missile was set off near North Korea's Pyongyang capital just before 18:00 (2100 GMT on Monday), flying 2,700 kilometers and reaching a height of about 550 kilometers.

A statement by the South Korean Foreign Ministry said it would react strongly based on its strong alliance with the US if Pyongyang continues with its nuclear and missile activities.

Four South Korean combat vessels shelled a military shooting area on Tuesday after President Jae-in led the army to show their ability to fight North Korea.

The Blue House Presidency further stated that Seoul and Washington discussed the deployment of further strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula; North Korea criticized the move by saying a rocket that brought a banqueting satellite over Japan in 2009 after warning about the plans. Japanese Cabinet leader Yoshihide Suga told journalists that the last missile landed at about 1,180 km due east of Cape Erimo in Hokkaido.