North Korea has test-fired a medium-range ballistic missile, hours after warning that weapons are its "answer to the Trump administration".

The projectile reached an altitude of around 348 miles and travelled about 310 miles before landing in the Sea of Japan, South Korea's military said.

It was fired from Pukchang, the location of a military airport north of the capital Pyongyang, officials said.

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The White House said the missile, which was tracked by US Pacific Command, had "a shorter range than those launched in North Korea's three most recent tests".

South Korean President Moon Jae-in held a National Security Council meeting to discuss the launch, which his foreign ministry described as "reckless and irresponsible".


In a statement, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said they were at "full military readiness" and were "closely monitoring signs for additional provocation by the North Korean military".

Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he would raise the issue at a G7 summit in Italy next week.

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Earlier this month, North Korea launched another ballistic missile called the Hwasong-12, which it said was capable of carrying a heavy nuclear warhead.

That missile - which was launched from a site in Kusong, North Pyongan province - flew for about 30 minutes, travelling about 500 miles (800km) before landing in the Sea of Japan, according to Tokyo.

On Sunday, North Korean state newspaper Minju Joson threatened more missile launches.

It said: "If the US persists in confrontation with the DPRK (North Korea), the latter will show how the crime-woven history of the US is put to an end.

Image: Kim Jong Un is applauded after a missile launch earlier this month

"Many more weapons capable of striking the US will be launched from this land. This is the DPRK's answer to the Trump administration."

North Korea regularly tests short-range missiles, but it is also said to be working to master the technology needed to field nuclear-tipped missiles that can reach the US mainland.

The launch of the Hwasong-12 was its tenth test this year.