The North Korean test launched an alleged intercontinental ballistic missile and two shorter-range weapons into the sea on Wednesday.
The three missiles were fired from near Pyongyang, on the east coast, between 6 and 7 a.m. Wednesday, according to South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff.
The alleged ballistic missile reached an altitude of 540 km (335 miles) and traveled 360 km (223 miles) east after being fired from Pyongyang.
A statement from the South Korean government said: “North Korea’s sustained provocations can only lead to a stronger and faster combined deterrence between South Korea and the United States and can only deepen North Korea’s international isolation.
“(Our) government is constantly ready to respond forcefully and effectively to any provocation from North Korea.
Seoul authorities said the missiles were fired in less than an hour from Pyongyang’s Sunan area.
President Biden’s trip to Asia included a summit with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol in Seoul, where they agreed to conduct military exercises and deploy more US strategic assets if necessary to deter North Korea from intensifying their weapons tests.
Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi described the launches as “an act of provocation and absolutely inadmissible.”
He accused Pyongyang of pursuing its weapons development program while “ignoring the suffering of the people in the midst of the spread of coronavirus in the country.”
The launch of the missile came at a time when North Korea is making a controversial claim that its internal outbreak of COVID-19 is weakening.
Leif-Eric Easley, an associate professor of international studies at Ewha University in Seoul, said: “If Omicron makes the country angry, this is not the best time for Kim to take domestic political credit for a nuclear test.
“So declaring victory against COVID, at least in state propaganda, will probably come first. But it is likely that North Korea will conduct its seventh nuclear test before re-engaging in diplomacy.”
President Biden has warned North Korea that the United States is “ready for anything North Korea does.”