North Korea fired two medium-range ballistic missile 500 miles into the Sea of Japan on Friday, the latest sign of growing tensions between the hermetic state and its southern neighbour.
The test comes days after further US sanctions were imposed on the rogue nation for continued violations of UN sanctions.
A US defense official said: “The US tracked the launch of two ballistic missiles from North Korea. Both are believed to be Nodong medium range ballistic missiles.”
“Neither was assessed to be a threat to the US or our regional allies,” he added. “These launches are a violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions.”
In January, North Korea carried out a nuclear test in defiance of international restrictions.
Thursday’s missile, which was fired from a site north of the capital, is the first medium-range missile launched by North Korea since 2014. In recent weeks the state has fired a number of short-range missiles into the sea.
The US and South Korea are currently engaged in joint military exercises. In response, North Korean state news said leader Kim Jong un has ordered further nuclear tests.
Washington imposed a fresh round of sanctions on Wednesday, including the blacklisting of North Korean officials. The same day, American student Otto Warmbier was sentenced to 15 years hard labour for stealing a poster from a hotel in Pyongyang.