People watch a TV broadcasting a news report on North Korea firing a ballistic missile towards the sea off its east coast in Seoul.
Japan's Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada said Japan estimated it reached maximum altitude at 50 km and may have flown on an irregular trajectory. Hamada said it fell outside Japan's exclusive economic zone and there were no reports of problems with shipping or air traffic. The US Asia-pacific Command said it was aware of the launch and consulting closely with allies, in a statement released after the launch, while reaffirming US commitment to the defence of South Korea and Japan.
North Korea rejects UN resolutions as an infringement of its sovereign right to self defence and space exploration, and has criticised previous joint drills by the United States and South Korea as proof of their hostile policies.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
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