North Korea has on Sunday morning launched a new medium range ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan.
The test missile launch comes following the exit of the US President, Donald Trump from the country to Saudi Arabia, a trip which marks his first overseas travel since he assumed office.
The latest missile launch by North Korea marks the second missile launched by the nation in the space of seven days.
The recently launched missile was reported to have traveled about 500km and is believed to have landed in the waters off South Korea’s east coast according to the South Korean military.
In reaction to the newly launched missile, the new South Korean President, Moon Jae-in, summoned a National Security Council meeting, while the United States in reaction said the missile had “a shorter range than the missiles launched in North Korea’s three most recent tests”.
South Korea in its statement issued by the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said the nation is at “full military readiness” and is indeed “closely monitoring signs for additional provocation by the North Korean military”.
The North Korean state newspaper, Minju Joson, further threatened more missile launches against the United States.
Minju Joson reported: “If the US persists in confrontation with the DPRK (North Korea), the latter will show how the crime-woven history of the US is put to an end. “Many more weapons capable of striking the US will be launched from this land. This is the DPRK’s answer to the Trump administration.”