North Korea fires ballistic missile over Japan

North Korea launched a missile that flew over the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido at 5:58 a.m. local time, according to Japanese government officials.

The missile was in flight for about 15 minutes, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at an emergency press conference. "There is no immediate report of the fallen objects and no damage to the ships and aircraft," he added.

Japan's NHK News reported that the missile passed over Japan, warning people in northern Japan to take necessary precautions.

Although three missiles were fired, according to officials, it was not clear if all of them were headed toward the same trajectory.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe, who shared a 40-minute phone conversation with US President Donald Trump in response to the launch, said the two leaders had agreed to call for an immediate emergency meeting of the UN security council "and increase the pressure towards North Korea."

During the call, Trump reiterated that the United States "stands with Japan 100%" said Abe.

South Korean president Moon Jae-in ordered a military show of 'overwhelming' force in response to the North's actions, Yonhap News reported. Four South Korean F-15K fighter jets were dispatched to drop eight bombs at a simulated target.

The latest launch was conducted days after Kim Jong Un's regime fired what was believed to be three short-range ballistic missiles into the sea, and a month after an intercontinental ballistic missile flight test, the Associated Press reported.