North Korea test-fires ballistic missile amid rising tension

SEOUL - Japanese and South Korean authorities have claimed that North Korea had test-fired a ballistic missile from its western region.

According to BBC, the missile was launched at 09:40 local time (00:40 GMT), from Banghyon in North Pyongan Province on Tuesday.

North Korea claims it has successfully fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that "can reach anywhere in the world."

It flew for 40 minutes and may have landed in Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) after travelling 930km, Tokyo said, adding that it had strongly condemned the test, saying it was a clear violation of UN resolutions.

The missile was launched at a time when a summit of leaders from the Group of 20 countries is scheduled in Germany  on July 7 to 8 and celebration of US Independence Day celebrations being marked today (July 4).

On Monday, US President Donald Trump discussed the issue of North Korea with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and China's President Xi Jinping where leaders expressed commitment to denuclearised the country.

Donald Trump

Soon after the launch, US president Donald Trump took to Twitter and referring to North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un said: "North Korea has just launched another missile. Does this guy have anything better to do with his life? Hard to believe that South Korea".

North Korea has just launched another missile. Does this guy have anything better to do with his life? Hard to believe that South Korea.....

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 4, 2017

He further said that Japan and China will take action to end this "nonsense once and for all".

....and Japan will put up with this much longer. Perhaps China will put a heavy move on North Korea and end this nonsense once and for all!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 4, 2017