[s] The US is deploying an advanced anti-missile defence system to South Korea, the White House said, hours after North Korea launched four ballistic missiles into the sea off Japan.
The United States is deploying an advanced anti-missile defence system to South Korea as part of steps to bolster its ability to defend against North Korean ballistic missiles.
North Korea launched four ballistic missiles, which landed in the Sea of Japan. Photo: AFP
North Korea fired four ballistic missiles that landed in the sea off Japan, the Pentagon has confirmed.
The launches have angered South Korea and Japan, days after North Korea promised retaliation over US-South Korea military drills it sees as preparation for war.
The missiles flew on average 1000km and reached a height of 260km.
Some of the missiles landed in waters as close as 300km from Japan's northwest coast, Japan's Defence Minister Tomomi Inada said.
US Navy Captain Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, told a news briefing: "There were four that landed. There may be a higher number of launches that we're not commenting on. But four landed and splashed in the Sea of Japan."
Mr Davis confirmed that none of the missiles were intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Condemning the launches as further "provocative behaviour," White House spokesman Sean Spicer said the US was taking steps to enhance defence against ballistic missiles, including deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery in South Korea.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said "strong protests" had been lodged with nuclear-armed North Korea.
"The launches are clearly in violation of [United Nations] Security Council resolutions. It is an extremely dangerous action," Mr Abe told the Japanese parliament.
South Korea's acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn condemned the launches as a direct challenge to the international community and said Seoul would swiftly deploy a US anti-missile defence system despite angry objections from China.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a daily news briefing that China, which is holding its annual meeting of the National People's Congress, had noted North Korea's latest action.
"All sides should exercise restraint and not do anything to irritate each other to worsen regional tensions," Geng said, referring to both the missile launch and US-South Korean military exercises.
France and the UK also condemned the launch.
British foreign minister Boris Johnson said such "provocative actions" were a threat to international peace and security.
-Reuters