Pyongyang is banned from testing ballistic missiles, considered threatening weapons, under UN Security Council resolutions.
Since 2011, Kim has launched more than 100 missiles and conducted four nuclear weapons tests, which is more than what his father, Kim Jong Il, and grandfather, Kim Il Sung, launched over a period of 27 years.
Both Japan and South Korea have condemned the test.
It comes just days after North Korea reportedly fired two non-ballistic missiles into the Yellow Sea.
Japan said no debris had fallen within its territorial waters.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told reporters in Tokyo, “We strictly and strongly protest this launch,”
U.S. intelligence agencies were analyzing the matter and gathering detailed information.
A spokesman for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said, the U.S. is monitoring the situation and consulting its allies and partners.
“This activity highlights the threat that North Korea’s illicit weapons program poses to its neighbors and the international community. The U.S. commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remains ironclad,” said the spokesman, Navy Capt. Mike Kafka.
Over the weekend, North Korea conducted its first missile test since the Biden administration took office. Senior administration officials said Tuesday evening on a call with reporters that Pyongyang fired at least one missile. The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, would not elaborate on what type of weapon was launched, the location of the test, nor its success rate.
The string of tests comes as Pyongyang ignores invitations from Washington to discuss denuclearization and as the U.S. and South Korea resume large, joint military exercises.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is scheduled to hold talks in Washington with his counterparts from Japan and South Korea next week on the next steps to take related to North Korea.
John Lewis (Analysis Editor Newspresslive.com )
