Japan's chief cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga, said, "Considering the launch was immediately after the Japan-US summit meeting was held (in the United States), this is a clear provocation to Japan and the region."
North Korea test-fires ballistic missile, South Korea says
By Steve Almasy, CNN
Updated 0310 GMT (1110 HKT) February 12, 2017
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South Korean and US marines move to a position during a re-enactment of the Incheon landing to mark the 66th anniversary of the start of Operation Chromite, the battle that turned the tide in the Korean War, in the western port city of Incheon on September 9, 2016.
Seoul prepares for military option against North Korea
north korea defector mohsin lok_00014813.jpg
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n korea simulate attack hancocks_00002519.jpg
N. Korean military drills target S. Korea
north korea nuclear test explainer ripley orig_00005507.jpg
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US President-elect Donald Trump exits elevators to talk with the media at Trump Tower on December 6, 2016 in New York. / AFP / Eduardo Munoz Alvarez (Photo credit should read EDUARDO MUNOZ ALVAREZ/AFP/Getty Images)
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north korea continues missile tests paula hancocks_00011226.jpg
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north korea missile testing chang intv_00001001.jpg
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americans in south korea prepare for worst field pkg lead_00003018.jpg
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This undated photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on December 11, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un during a combat drill of the service personnel of the special operation battalion of the Korean People's Army Unit 525.
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Story highlights
Japan says it has filed protest through Chinese officials
A US official says the missile was an intermediate-range ballistic missile
(CNN)North Korea on Sunday test-fired a ballistic missile, an official in the South Korean Ministry of Defense told CNN.
It is the first missile test conducted by North Korea since US President Donald Trump took office.
"The South Korean government and the international community are working together to take punitive actions appropriate for this launch," acting South Korean President Hwang Kyo-ahn said.
Trump, when asked by reporters about the missile launch, declined to comment. A White House spokesman said Trump was briefed on the launch.
Another source within the South Korean Defense Ministry told CNN that North Korea launched a projectile from North Pyongan Province. The missile traveled 500 kilometers (310 miles) and landed in the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, sources said.
The launch involved an intermediate-range ballistic missile, a senior US official told CNN.
A State Department official said, "We are aware of reports and monitoring the situation carefully."
South Korean security officials were holding an emergency meeting Sunday morning.
Japan's chief cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga, said, "Considering the launch was immediately after the Japan-US summit meeting was held (in the United States), this is a clear provocation to Japan and the region."
Tokyo has already lodged protest against North Korea via its embassy in Beijing, he said.
Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe were scheduled to give a press briefing late Saturday in Florida.
Step toward missile that can hit US?
Retired Lt. General Mark Hertling said the test was a step toward an intercontinental ballistic missile.
"That's the goal of the North Korean politicians," he said. "This intermediate ballistic missile is certainly dangerous. It has a greater range than some of the Musudan missiles that they have been testing prior to that. And it's not only a concern for the United States to hit the mainland, but it also has concerns for all of our Asia partners."
Hertling said because of the poor accuracy of North Korean missiles, missiles are fired at the Sea of Japan. North Korea wants to see how far the missile will fly and whether it will fall apart.
North Korea's Missle Can Travel 500km Now
