suprunvitaly/iStock/Thinkstock(PYONGYANG, North Korea) — North Korea launched a series of missiles in the direction of Japan on Monday as an apparent show of force, while world leaders including President Obama met at the G-20 Summit in China.
The BBC says that North Korea launched three ballistic missiles that landed inside Japan’s air defense zone. The missiles flew more than 600 miles, South Korean officials said.
The White House condemned the action, calling the launches “reckless” and saying that they “pose threats to civil aviation and maritime commerce in the region.”
“North Korea’s continued development of its UN-proscribed nuclear and ballistic missile programs threatens the United States; our allies, Japan and the Republic of Korea; and our partners in the region,” the statement added.
North Korea previously launched a ballistic missile about two weeks ago. The timing of that launch coincided with the beginning of annual military drills between the U.S. and South Korea.
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