Not Offshore, North Korean Missiles Even Exploded In The Air After Launching

JAKARTA - North Korea tested a hypersonic missile off its east coast but exploded in the air, the South Korean military said.

The missile was launched close to the capital, Pyongyang, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

Japan's Ministry of Defense said the missile flew at an altitude of about 100 km (62 miles) with a range of more than 200 km.

Senior South Korean officials, the United States and Japan held telephone talks and denounced the launch as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions. Missile tests are also referred to as a serious threat to the peace and stability of the region and its surroundings.

US Indo-Pacific Command also issued criticism and asked Pyongyang to refrain from unlawful acts and disrupt further stability.

"While we assess that this incident poses no direct threat to US personnel, or our allies, we continue to monitor the situation," he said in a statement.

North Korea's last missile launch took place on May 30.

North Korea this week criticized the deployment of US aircraft carriers for joint exercises with South Korea and Japan, and warned of an "extraordinary new deterrence demonstration".

The missile launch was carried out a day after the 74th anniversary of the start of the Korean War.

Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a summit and signed a joint defense pact.

Seoul, Washington and Tokyo criticized the increased military cooperation between the two countries, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol called the agreement "anakronistic".

North Korean state media, KCNA, said mass demonstrations in Pyongyang were held to commemorate the war commemoration, calling it a day of fighting against US imperialism and calling the United States an arch-enemy.