North Korean Missile Lands In Japanese Exclusive Economic Zone

North Korea has fired an intermediate range missile that is likely to have landed in Japan's exclusive economic zone.

The missile flew 930 kilometers (580 miles) before landing in Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the South Korean military and Japanese government was quoted as saying by Reuters Tuesday.

Japan’s PM Shinzo Abe said lodging a protest that the launch is clear indication that threat has grown. “Pyongyang has increased the frequency of its nuclear and missile tests in recent months, raising tensions,” Abe added.

Mr Abe said Japan would "unite strongly" with the US and South Korea to put pressure on Pyongyang. He added that he would call on Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin - who are meeting in Moscow - "to play a more constructive role".

"Our military is maintaining full preparedness against the possibility of North Korea's additional provocation," Army Col. Roh Jae-cheon, a spokesman for South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, said.

Neighbours such as China have objected to it as they believe it undermines their security and the regional balance.

The land-based missile was fired from near Panghyon airfield, and flew for 37 minutes before landing in the Sea of Japan, said the US Pacific Command.

The projectile was an intermediate-range ballistic missile, not a longer-range ICB, which has 5000 kms, an US official said. The missile did not pose threat to North America, US said.

The previous launch took place on June 8, when North Korea carried out a launch of short-range anti-ship missiles, reportedly flying some 124 miles before dropping into the Sea of Japan.