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The U.S. repeatedly condemned North Korea for firing ballistic missiles one after another, and said it was discussing the next steps with its allies. The international community, including the UK, also joined in the condemnation.
Correspondent Yunsu Kim from Washington.
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As North Korea's third ballistic missile test continued this year, the US immediately voiced condemnation.
North Korea has repeatedly criticized the missile launch as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and a threat to the international community.
However, he emphasized that there is no change in the policy of diplomatic approach to North Korea.
With a reaction similar to the previous two missile tests, there was no immediate response such as additional sanctions.
The Pentagon, however, said it was discussing next steps with its allies, suggesting that some kind of response might be possible. [John Kirby, Pentagon
Spokesperson
: We continue to discuss the best next steps with our alliance and the international community to ensure that the alliance remains capable, strong and vibrant.]
He did not give a clear answer to the question of whether it was a missile, saying that he was still analyzing the collected information.
The international community also condemned North Korea's successive missile launches.
Britain's foreign ministry stressed the need to maintain sanctions against North Korea to end North Korea's illegal activities, and Japan said it had made a "stern protest" through the Chinese embassy.
Russia's foreign ministry said earlier that the US sanctions against Russians for helping North Korea develop missiles are baseless, and protested that Russia is complying with its non-proliferation obligations within the framework of the international community, including the United Nations.