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North Korea launch intercontinental ballistic missile at Japan

The missile is said to have flown for 45 minutes and travelled more than 600 miles landing in Sea of Japan

Tokyo declares it "absolutely cannot" tolerate Kim Jong-un's repeated provocations

Japan's National Security Council holds emergency meeting

US and South Korea fire their own surface-to-surface missiles in response

Japan warns missile may have hit ships and planes North Korean leader Kim Jong-un personally supervised the midnight launch of the missile on Friday night and said it was a "stern warning" for the United States it would not be safe from destruction if it tries to attack. State television broadcast pictures of the launch, showing the missile lifting off in a fiery blast in darkness and Kim cheering with military aides. North Korean state media KCNA quoted Kim Jong-un saying: "The test-fire reconfirmed the reliability of the ICBM system, demonstrated the capability of making a surprise launch of the ICBM in any region and place any time, and clearly proved that the whole US mainland is in the firing range of the DPRK missiles.” North Korea's launch comes just one day after the 64th anniversary of the armistice that ended the Korean War. According to officials, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ordered the launch at 11.41pm local time (2.41pm BST) of a missile into Japanese territory. The missile is believed to have flown for 45 minutes before landing in Japan's exclusive economic zone, according the nation's chief cabinet secretary Suga. He maintained the launch is a clear breach of UN resolutions and declared Japan "absolutely cannot" tolerate North Korea's repeated provocations. Three defence officials have discussed "military response options" to the missile launch, according to an official statement from the Pentagon.

North Korea v USA explosive latest pictures Wed, September 20, 2017 Images depict how tensions have escalated between North Korea and the United States. Kim Jong-Un boasted of North Korea's ability to strike any target in the US after a second ICBM test that weapons experts said could even bring New York into range - in a potent challenge to President Donald Trump Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 45 North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Hwasong-14 being lauched at an undisclosed place in North Korea

Top US and South Korean military officials discussed military options in response, a spokesman for the top US general said. 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. Captain Greg Hicks, a spokesman for Dunford said: "During the call Dunford and Harris expressed the ironclad commitment to the U.S.-Republic of Korea alliance. The three leaders also discussed military response options.” Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe confirmed the launch and convened an emergency meeting of officials to address the situation.

AFP GETTY A scheming Kim Jong-un laughs with generals as he oversees the missile launch

AFP GETTY State media released images of the missile launch

AFP GETTY The missile launch is broadcast in Pyongyang

After meeting with Japanese officials, Abe said there is no avoiding ramping up pressure on North Korea, adding: "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 added that today’s launch shows “clearly that the threat to our nation is severe and real”. A Japanese defence official said the missile could have flown more than 3,000km (1,864 miles). A Japanese defence official said the missile could have flown at an altitude of more than 3,000km (1,864 miles).

GETTY North Korea has launched another missile as the hermit state ramps up its nuclear threat

China's Foreign Ministry has expressed serious concern after South Korea said it will proceed with the deployment of four additional units of the US THAAD anti-missile defence system. According to the Ministry, the deployment will not resolve South Korea's security concerns and will only make things more complex, reiterating a Chinese call for the system to be withdrawn. The heightened concerns come after North Korea claimed to have conducted another successful intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test, adding that it was proof of the hermit nation’s ability to strike all of America's mainland.

BING The missile is believed to have landed in Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

The Pentagon has also confirmed that it has detected what it assesses was a ballistic missile launch from North Korea. South Korean President Moon Jae-in has convened an emergency meeting of the National Security Council to discuss how to deal with North Korea's latest provocation. The launch comes less than a month after the hermit state tested its first long-range missile, which is believed to be capable of carrying a “large, heavy nuclear warhead”. The Pentagon confirmed North Korea launched a long range missile test which travelled more than 600 miles (1,000km) before coming down in the Sea of Japan. Yonhap news agency said the missile reached an altitude of about 3,700 km. Citing South Korea's military, Yonhap said the missile is believed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) class that is more advanced than the one tested on July 4. Meanwhile, the European Union has called on North Korea "to refrain from any further provocative action that could increase regional and global tensions”. Dr Patricia Lewis, research director at international security department at Chatham House, said: "Clearly this is another provocation. North Korea conducted a test a few weeks ago which was such long range it could hit the US and they are fast developing their ballistic missile capabilities and they are developing a nuclear warhead which will be designed to go on top of these missiles.

EPA A missile interceptor procured to counter North Korean missile threats is seen in Tokyo

REUTERS Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga speaks at a news conference about the missile launch

"If a missile like this were equipped with a nuclear warhead and for example landed on Japan or a US base in South Korea it would be devastating consequences, hundreds of thousands of people could be killed. "Japan announced earlier it was increasing the sanctions on North Korea and that might have tipped North Korea's hand who knows. "What President Trump has been trying to do is to get China to really step up and step in. China and Russia recently announced they would have a joint approach to North Korea but I think things are getting so hot they need to step in quite quickly. "Probably the whole Security Council needs to get together to send a forceful powerful message to North Korea about what is acceptable and what isn't. "Like you say they have done so many times. But the frequency of these missile tests and how close they are getting to developing a nuclear warhead is increasing the urgency and seriousness."

The 64th anniversary of the Korean War had led to increased concerns the regime planned another test to fire another intercontinental ballistic missile, believed to be capable of reaching the US mainland. North Korea is notorious for marking key events in its history with missile launches or similar acts of aggression. The most recent warning was issued by one of Kim Jong-un’s key generals, who called on the North Korean military to “wage dynamic struggle to bring final victory” on July 27. The most recent warning was issued by one of Kim Jong-un’s key generals, who called on the North Korean military to “wage dynamic struggle to bring final victory” on July 27. Pak Yong-sik, the minister of North Korea's armed forces, carried on the threats and called for a nuclear strike on the United States – even if Washington does not attack first. He said: "If enemies misunderstand our strategic status and stick to options of staging a pre-emptive nuclear attack against us, we will launch a nuclear attack on America's heart as the most relentless punishment without warning or prior notice."

GETTY North Korea missile fired: This is the second launched

REUTERS North Korea missile fired: Kim Jong-un watches a military drill

Satellite images have also emerged showing that North Korea is not issuing empty threats. Grainy images, at first sight, lead viewers to believe the North Portal at Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Facility - the tunnel site used for the past four tests - is in a state of vegetation, with little activity and low general maintenance. However experts warn it is clear the site remains ready for the war-mongering kingdom to launch more ballistic missile tests.

The Korean War, in which the US fought alongside South Korea and China with the North, ended in a truce that has yet to be replaced by a peace agreement and has left the two sides technically at war. In recent days transporter vehicles carrying equipment used for firing ballistic missiles have been seen arriving in Kusong province. Kusong has been the site of North Korean missile tests in the past, including one held in May. That test saw a KN-17 intermediate range missile travel almost 500 miles before splashing down in the Sea of Japan/East Sea, hitting the water about 60 miles from Vladivostok in eastern Russia, according to US officials.

GETTY North Korean border guards pictured yesterday as North Korea celebrated 'Victory Day'