The US and South Korean militaries are conducting a live-fire exercise using surface-to-surface missiles in response to North Korea's test of an intercontinental ballistic missile, a US defense official said today.
"We are doing a live-fire exercise in response to North Korea's missile launch," the official said.
Senior US and South Korean military officials have discussed military options after North Korea launched the (ICBM).
Marine General Joseph Dunford was joined by the Commander of US Pacific Command, Admiral Harry Harris, when they called General Lee Sun-jin, chairman of the South Korean Joint Chief of Staff, a US military spokesman said.
"During the call Dunford and Harris expressed the ironclad commitment to the US-Republic of Korea alliance.
"The three leaders also discussed military response options," said Captain Greg Hicks, a spokesman for Gen Dunford.
Earlier, the Pentagon said the ICBM flew for about 1,000 km before landing in Japan's exclusive economic zone.
Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said the launch had been expected and took place from Mupyong-ni, an arms plant in northern North Korea.
He said the launch did not pose a threat to North America.
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said there is no avoiding increasing pressure on North Korea following the missile launch, which came just after Japan had announced it would increase its sanctions on North Korea.
Mr Abe said the missile launch, a rare late night launch, clearly showed the threat that North Korea poses to Japan.
"As long as North Korea continues such provocative actions, there is no avoiding maintaining close contact with the international community - starting with the United States, South Korea, China and Russia - and further strengthening the pressure," he said.
He added that a meeting of the National Security Council would be convened and that Japan would take every necessary step to ensure the safety of its citizens.
Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said the missile launch is a clear violation of UN resolutions and Japan absolutely cannot tolerate North Korea's repeated provocations.
Mr Suga added that he was staying in close contact with the United States and South Korea following the launch.
France called on fellow members of the UN Security Council to swiftly adopt "strong and additional sanctions" against North Korea for its latest ballistic missile launch.
"Only maximum diplomatic pressure is likely to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table," the French foreign ministry's spokeswoman said in a statement.
