North Korea launches suspected intercontinental ballistic missile US, Japan, South Korea respond

North Korea has fired a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on a lofted trajectory toward the East Sea, South Korea's military said on October 31, hours after the defence chiefs of South Korea and the United States jointly condemned the North's troop deployment to Russia.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launch at about 7:10 a.m. from the North's Pyongyang area, Caliber.Az reports, citing South Korean media.

"North Korea's ballistic missile appears to be an ICBM fired on a lofted trajectory," the JCS said in a text message sent to reporters.

"Amid a heightened readiness posture, our military maintains full readiness as we closely share North Korean ballistic information with U.S. and Japanese authorities," it added.

The launch came just hours after the defence chiefs of South Korea and the United States condemned North Korea's troop deployment to Russia with "one voice" in the "strongest" terms during the allies' annual defence talks at the Pentagon on Wednesday.

North Korea last fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles on September 18. It last fired an ICBM on December 18.

Meanwhile, Japan, the United States of America and South Korea expressed their complete disapproval of the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by the North Korea. They consider this launch as a violation of the existing UN Security Council resolutions, according to a statement issued by the Japanese Foreign Ministry following talks between representatives of the three countries' foreign ministries.

Their special representatives on North Korea issues also reiterated the position that Pyongyang's actions pose ‘a serious and immediate danger to regional security’, as well as a challenge to the entire international community.

Tokyo, Washington and Seoul also agreed to continue close cooperation, particularly in strengthening the joint regional deterrent force.

By Khagan Isayev