North Korea launched a medium-range ballistic missile early Sunday, U.S. officials said, just hours before President Trump is set to deliver a major speech in Saudi Arabia.

U.S. Pacific Command said it tracked the missile from its launch site near Pukchang until it landed in the Sea of Japan.

“We are working with our Interagency partners on a more detailed assessment. We continue to monitor North Korea's actions closely,” a U.S. Pacific Command spokesman said. “U.S. Pacific Command stands behind our ironclad commitment to the security of our allies in the Republic of Korea and Japan.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Officials from the North American Aerospace Defense Command determined the launch did not pose a threat to North America.

A White House official traveling with Trump in Saudi Arabia said early Sunday that the administration is aware of the North Korean launch.

This system was last tested in February, the official noted, adding that it has a shorter range than the missiles launched in North Korea's three most recent tests.