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The war-hungry state fired the missile from North Korea’s South Hwanghae province, southwest of Pyongyang, into the sea off its east coast, South Korean military has revealed. Seoul officials said the launch shows Pyongyang’s “ambition to attack neighbouring countries”. The missile landed near Japanese waters and defence minister for Tokyo Gen Nakatani said the ballistic missile launch was a "serious threat" to Japan's security.

GETTY Kim Jong-un has blasted a missile across his own country

This comes following a series of missile launches by Pyongyang in defiance to the UN’s sanctions. The Pyongyang leader accused Barack Obama of “crossing the red line” after introducing trade sanctions last week, and promised the “toughest countermeasures” in response. The North Korean dictator claimed the sanctions were a “declaration of war” and called the decision by the US a “tedious crime”.

GETTY Kim Jong-un declared war on the US last month

It is the first missile launch since July 19 by the secretive nation when they blasted two mid-range Rodong missiles and a shorter-range Scud missile. Along with the declaration of war on the US, North Korea has also recently threatened to reduce Japan “to debris in a moment”.

Inside North Korea Thu, July 28, 2016 Take a look inside North Korea and the unseen world of Kim Jong Un. Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 59 North Korea leader Kim Jong Un visits the Chollima Building Materials Complex

Following the act of aggression, Obama sent a fleet of supersonic bombers to bases near North Korea. The B-1B Lancer bombers are being sent to Guam, a US territory in the Pacific Ocean within striking range of the secretive state’s capital of Pyongyang.

EPA US forces in South Korea charged with intercepting North Korean missiles

They are replacing the ageing fleet of B-52s held on the island’s Andersen Air Force Base. Around 300 US airmen are also being deployed to the base in response to the increasing aggression of the maverick leader.

GETTY The dictator said the sanctions by the US are a 'declaration of war'

I believe there will be strong attacks by North Korea that could quickly escalate into a much bigger conflict General Walter Sharp