North Korea allegedly conducted three test missile launches into the Pacific Ocean Wednesday, according to South Korea.
The reported missile launches took place just a few hours after President Joe Biden left Asia, where he reaffirmed his resolve to defend U.S. partners against the nuclear threat posed by North Korea.
There is substantial evidence to suggest that North Korea also employed an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and two lower-range missiles.
As nuclear talks with the United States have stalled, the tests would be the first launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile by the North in almost two months, Fox News reports.
A 2018 United Nation resolution forbids long-range missile launches was directly violated when North Korea announced in March that it had conducted ICBM test.
The launches marked the 17th round of missile tests conducted by North Korea this year but the first since May 12.
The launch of an ICBM by North Korea was the first in more than five years.
Following an emergency meeting of its national security council on Wednesday, South Korea announced that North Korea had reportedly fired off three ballistic missiles, a suspected ICBM, two of which had a shorter range.
“North Korea’s persistent provocations can only result in stronger and faster South Korea-US joint deterrence,” the government of South Korea stated in a statement.
The statement also said these actions would only heighten the North’s worldwide isolation, and any provocation from North Korea would be met with a decisive and powerful response.