North Korea says it successfully test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which flew a trajectory that an expert says could allow a weapon to hit the US state of Alaska.
Tuesday's launch comes days before leaders from the Group of 20 nations are due to discuss steps to rein in Pyongyang's weapons programs, which the North has pursued in defiance of UN Security Council sanctions.
The launch, which North Korea's state media said was ordered and supervised by leader Kim Jong Un, sent the rocket 933km reaching an altitude of 2,802km over a flight time of 39 minutes.
Officials from South Korea, Japan and the United States said the missile landed in Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) after being launched near an airfield in Panghyon, about 100km northwest of the North's capital, Pyongyang.
"The test launch was conducted at the sharpest angle possible and did not have any negative effect on neighbouring countries," North Korea's state media said in a statement.
The North said its missiles were now capable of striking anywhere in the world.
"The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea's official name) has become an imposing nuclear power with the most powerful ICBM capable of hitting any part of the world," the state broadcaster KCTV said.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who convened a national security council meeting, said the missile was believed to be an intermediate range type, but the military was also looking at the possibility it was an ICBM.
Russia's Defence Ministry refuted North Korea's claim, saying the missile appeared to only be "medium range."
"The parametric data of the flight corresponds with tactical and technical characteristics of a ballistic missile of medium range," a defence ministry statement said.
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he will ask the presidents of China and Russia to play more constructive roles in efforts to stop the Pyongyang's arms program.
"Leaders of the world will gather at the G20 meeting. I would like to strongly call for solidarity of the international community on the North Korean issue," Abe told reporters.
Japan said the United States, South Korea and Japan will have a trilateral summit on North Korea at the G20. China's leader Xi Jinping will also be at the July 7-8 meeting in Hamburg.
US President Donald Trump, responding to the latest launch, wrote on Twitter: "North Korea has just launched another missile. Does this guy have anything better to do with his life?" an apparent reference to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
"Hard to believe South Korea and Japan will put up with this much longer. Perhaps China will put a heavy move on North Korea and end this nonsense once and for all!", Trump said in a series of tweets.
China's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday called for calm and restraint after the launch.
Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said United Nations Security Council resolutions had clear rules on North Korean missile launches and China is opposed to Pyongyang violating those rules.
"China has made efforts and will continue to make efforts to solve this issue," he said.
"The issue can only be resolved through peaceful dialogue and consultation," Geng said.
