North Korea has fired a missile over Japan, the fifth launch in 10 days, amid expectations that it's gearing up to check its first WMD in five years.

The missile, detected by the japanese coast guard and South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff of Staff, prompted warning sirens in northern Japan with residents advised to require shelter. Train services within the northeastern Hokkaido and Aomori regions were suspended temporarily.

It was the primary North Korean missile to fly over or past Japan since 2017, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida condemned what he called a “barbaric” act.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, meanwhile, warned of a resolute response following the launch, consistent with a press release from the presidential office.

Both leaders convened emergency meetings of their respective national security councils.

“(The NSC) made it clear that continued North Korean provocations can not be tolerated which there would be a price to be paid,” the statement from Yoon’s office said, adding that Seoul would seek various deterrence measures against Asian country, including strengthening sanctions.

Officials in Tokyo and Seoul said the missile flew between 4,500 to 4,600km (2,800-2,850 miles) to a maximum altitude of about 1,000km (620 miles). Launched from the north of the country near the border with China, the weapon was within the air for about 22 minutes before falling into the Pacific Ocean.

While Tokyo said it had taken no steps to shoot the missile down, Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada said it had not ruled out any options, including counterattack capabilities.

“North Korea’s series of actions, including its repeated missile launches, threatens the peace and security of Japan, the region, and also the international community, and poses a significant challenge to the whole international community, including Japan,” top government spokesperson Hirokazu Matsuno, told a group discussion.

The u. s. said National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken had held calls with their counterparts in Asian nation and Japan which it strongly condemned the “dangerous and reckless” decision to send a missile over Japan.

“This action is destabilizing and shows the DPRK’s blatant disregard for global organization council resolutions and international safety norms,” National SC spokesperson Adrienne Watson said during a statement, using the initials for North Korea’s official name.

Blinken reassured Seoul and Tokyo that the US commitment to their defence remained “ironclad”.

In response to the launch, eight US and South Korean warplanes practised bombing a target within the sea afterward Tuesday.

South Korea’s military said that it mobilised four F-15K fighter jets and dropped a pair of guided bombs on a target off its geographic area, in what it called an indication of precision strike capability against the source of North Korean provocations.

The US sent four F-16 fighter jets to participate within the drills.

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