The test-launch was confirmed Monday and is North Korea's most significant weapon launch in years. South Korean and Japanese officials condemned the launch.
Monday's test was North Korea's fourth launch in under two weeks. By contrast, it took the North 10 months to conduct that many ballistic missile tests last year.
The tests of the fast and maneuverable class of weapons that purport to be able to evade missile defense systems, has garnered the attention of the White House, which responded with new sanctions.
The U.S. is also proposing U.N. sanctions in response to North Korea's six ballistic missile launches since September, each of which it says "were in violation of UN Security Council resolutions."
The potential upgrade at a U.S. air defense base, within range of missiles in North Korea and China, has residents concerned as Seoul walks a delicate balancing act between the rival powers.
In a speech at a key political conference, Kim Jong Un vowed to further bolster his military capability, maintain draconian anti-virus measures and push hard to improve the economy.
As North Korea's dictator marks a milestone on Friday, he might be facing his toughest moment yet, as crushing sanctions, the pandemic and growing economic trouble converge
North and South Korea have reopened a hotline that was closed for nearly 14 months. "We hope that inter-Korean communications are never again suspended," a South Korean official said.
NPR's Rachel Martin talks to Wilson Center senior fellow Jean Lee about North Korea acknowledging a tense food situation and how flooding, sanctions and other issues are adding to the problem.
The North Korean leader didn't say exactly what the incident was, nor did he contradict the country's official line, which is that it has not had a single COVID-19 infection so far.
