TOKYO, May 29 (KUNA) -- Japan and South Korea on Monday strongly denounced North Korea's test-firing of a ballistic missile, which is believed to have landed in waters within Japan's exclusive economic zone.
"We cannot tolerate North Korea's continued provocations despite repeated warnings from the international community. Japan lodged a strong protest against North Korea," Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters after the launch.
According to the Japanese government, North Korea fired the ballistic missile eastward from its eastern coast around 05:40 a.m. (2040 Sunday GMT), which flew about 400 km and fell into waters within Japan's exclusive economic zone.
"As confirmed at the recent summit of Group of 7 nations, the North Korean issue is a top priority. Japan will work closely with the US to take specific action to deter North Korea," said Abe.
The premier vowed to cooperate with the international society, including South Korea, to maintain a high level of security and do its utmost to ensure people's safety.
Abe also held the National Security Council meeting. There were no immediate reports of damage to vessels or aircraft navigating in the area, according to the government.
In Seoul, the South Korean Foreign Ministry also strongly condemned North Korea's latest missile test, vowing to take stern action against any provocation, according to Yonhap News Agency.
"This is a clear violation of the UNSC relevant resolutions and poses a serious threat not only to the Korean Peninsula but also to global peace and security," the ministry said in a statement.
The South Korean military said that the ballistic missile is believed to be either a Scud short-range missile or a Scud-ER intermediate range missile capable of striking western Japan.
On May 21, it also launched a ballistic missile that flew about 500 km before falling into waters off its east coast. North Korea is banned from developing ballistic missile technology under relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
At the Group of Seven summit meetng in Italy on weekend, the leaders urged the North to abandon its nuclear and missile programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. (pickup previous) mk.gta