North Korea conducted the third in two weeks the launch of a ballistic missile. Ballistic short-range missiles fell into the ocean within 200 miles of the coastline.

South Korea and Japan immediately made strong protests, and the Prime Minister of Japan has promised "concrete action" in response, South Korean defense officials say that the North will be "severely punished by our military".

According to the statement of the joint chiefs of staff of South Korea, the missile was fired at 5:39 a.m. local time (4:39 PM on Sundays) near Wonsan district, Kangwon province, to the Eastern part of the Korean Peninsula. North Korea launched 12 missiles in the course of 9 tests by 2017 is comparable to 10 missiles during the same period in 2016.

Japan said the rocket landed within its exclusive economic zone, the area of water extending 200 nautical miles from the Japanese coast. "This launch is extremely problematic for the safety of aircraft and ships and clearly violates the UN resolution. Re provocative actions of North Korea is totally unacceptable," - said in his statement the chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan Yoshihide Suga.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that North Korea was lodged "a strong protest". "In order to deter North Korea, we will take concrete action, along with the United States," he said. "We will maintain high vigilance in coordination with South Korea and the international community to take all possible measures to ensure the safety of the people of Japan."

The joint chiefs of staff of South Korea on Monday warned North Korea about further provocations. "The continuing provocative actions of North Korea will cause their own isolation, and she will be subject to strong punishment on the part of our military Alliance, South Korea and the United States and the international community," - reads the statement of the joint chiefs of staff.

North Korea said its missile tests are in response to the threats against her from the South, the United States and Japan.
sections: Politics, World News, Accidents