Ballistic missile

North Korea launches new ballistic missile

The Pentagon said it believed it was an intercontinental ballistic missile that flew for about 1,000km (620 miles) and fell into the Sea of Japan.

South Korean news agency Yonhap said that the missile was launched from Pyongsong, South Pyongan province.

North Korea's last ballistic missile test was in September.

That came days after it had conducted its sixth - and largest - nuclear test.

The US said the latest launch happened at about 03:30 local time (18:30 GMT).

South Korean military: North Korea launches ballistic missile

"Our military is closely monitoring for provocative movements by North Korea and is maintaining all readiness postures," a statement from the military said.

The missile, launched near the city of Kusong, flew 700 kilometers (435 miles), the South Korean military said. A US defense official confirmed that it flew that far, but said the US is still assessing what type of missile it was.

A second defense official told CNN: "At this point, we see nothing consistent with an (intercontinental ballistic missile) launch."

North Korea fires a possible ballistic missile

The United States believes the projectile was likely a ballistic missile, according to a US official. It is one of several the country has test-fired in recent months.

North Korea submarine fires ballistic missile

The KN-11 missile was launched off the coast of Sinpo and flew about 500km (300 miles) before falling into the Sea of Japan, a US official said.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency said the missile had fallen inside Japan's Air Defence Identification Zone.

North Korea, believed to be developing nuclear weapons, is banned by the UN from any use of ballistic missiles.

The reported test follows an attempted launch last month that South Korea said failed in its initial flight stage.

Kim Jong-un says successful Musudan missile launch gives ability to attack US

"We have the sure capability to attack in an overall and practical way the Americans in the Pacific operation theatre," Mr Kim was quoted as saying.

South Korean and US military officials reported on Wednesday that the North launched two intermediate-range Musudan missiles.

The first of the two was considered a failure, but the second flew 400 kilometres into the Sea of Japan.