SEOUL (Dispatches) -- North Korea successfully launched a new ballistic missile a significant distance on Wednesday, heightening concerns it is making progress toward testing a larger missile capable of threatening the U.S.
South Korea’s military said North Korea fired a Musudan-type medium-range missile from its east coast that traveled about 250 miles before it disappeared from tracking devices while over the Sea of Japan.
The Musudan, which has an estimated maximum range of 1,800 to 2,500 miles, was tested by North Korea for the first time this year.
The Musudan is one of two types of missile that outsiders have been monitoring closely for flight tests by North Korea. A larger missile, known as the KN-08, has been displayed by Pyongyang, but not tested. Its estimated range of several thousand miles would include parts of the continental U.S.
The test alarmed Japan, which has been subjected to threats from North Korea before during elevated tensions in the region. "It appears (North Korea) is increasing its ability to target our territory with missiles,” said Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani. "This represents a grave threat to the security of our country.”
A day earlier, Japan put its missile defense systems on alert after detecting the possible launch from North Korea. Missiles fired from North Korea’s east coast generally travel in the direction of Japan, although the trajectory of the missiles fired on Wednesday wasn’t clear and neither traveled far enough to threaten Japan. In 1998, North Korea fired a ballistic missile that traveled over Japan and crashed into the Pacific. Japan supports sanctions against Pyongyang for its nuclear weapons program.
In April, North Korea said it had successfully tested a new high-power engine for an intercontinental missile and released images that appeared to show the test-firing of a double-engine.
"The North Koreans are making progress toward a workable Musudan. If we do nothing, they will move on to a missile, using the same technology, that can reach the U.S.,” said Jeffrey Lewis, an arms control expert at the California-based Middlebury Institute of International Studies.
North Korea has made offers to suspend its nuclear and missile program in return for a suspension of joint military drills by the U.S. and South Korea. However, Washington and Seoul insist Pyongyang must make the first move and roll back its nuclear program.
The U.S. State Department condemned Wednesday’s test in a statement and said it would raise the issue at the United Nations. North Korea is banned by UN resolutions from testing ballistic-missile technology.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye called North Korea’s missile tests "grave provocations,” while a Chinese government spokesman said all nations should try to avoid escalating tension.
North Korea has also recently tested missiles launched from submarines that, along with road-mobile missiles, have the potential to give North Korea a "second strike” capability to retaliate to an initial major attack on its military bases.
North Korea has claimed the ability to mount a nuclear weapon on a ballistic missile. In March, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for an acceleration of missile and nuclear tests.
The Musudan’s maximum range covers U.S. bases in Japan and the Western Pacific island of Guam.