Officials from the United States, South Korea and Japan conferred by video conference Friday to discuss North Korea’s most recent launch of ballistic missiles.
Pentagon officials say one of two launches appeared to have been a successful test of an intermediate range Musudan ballistic missile that traveled high into space and landed 250 miles out into the Sea of Japan.
After the June 21 launch, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un boasted his missile could now threaten U.S. forces in the Pacific.
The Pentagon says the three countries “reiterated their strong condemnation of these launches and urged North Korea to refrain from provocative actions that undermine peace and security.”
“The United States reaffirms its ironclad alliance commitments to defend the Republic of Korea and Japan,” Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said Friday.
Cook said discussions continue with South Korea about the U.S. desire to deploy the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) anti-missile system, something China opposes.
“Those conversations continue. There are some logistical things that need to be worked out. But those conversations have progressed well,” Cook said.
