The White House on Wednesday warned North Korea “needlessly” raised tensions with the test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile.
A spokesperson for the national security council said the United States “strongly condemns” the test launch out of North Korea, calling it a “flagrant violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions.”
Sean Savett said in a statement that the U.S. determined the launch did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to allies, but that it “needlessly raises tensions and risks destabilizing the security situation in the region.”
“It only demonstrates that the DPRK continues to prioritize its unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs over the well-being of its people,” Savett said in a statement. “We urge all countries to condemn these violations and call on the DPRK to cease its destabilizing actions and engage in serious dialogue.
“The national security team is closely coordinating with our allies and partners,” he continued. “The United States will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the American homeland and Republic of Korea and Japanese allies.”
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected a missile launch from North Korea early Thursday local time, according to The Associated Press. South Korea said the missile was designed to strike the continental United States.
The launch came as U.S. officials have increasingly warned that North Korea has sent troops to aid Russia in its war against Ukraine.
