North Korea launches first ballistic missile tests for a year in challenge to Biden administration

North Korea launched at least two ballistic missiles early on Thursday, said the US and Japan, in the first such tests since US president Joe Biden took office and what Japan called a threat to security and peace in the region.

It marks the second North Korean weapons test in a matter of days, following the launch of two short-range non-ballistic projectiles at the weekend.

Pyongyang’s ballistic missiles are banned under United Nations Security Council resolutions, and while Sunday’s launch was played down by the White House, Mr Biden - who is yet to set out his North Korea policy - will find it harder to ignore such a violation.

Nuclear-armed North Korea has often used weapons tests as provocations to both Washington and Seoul.

South Korea’s military confirmed on Thursday that the North fired two short-range missiles from the eastern waters of Hamju town, in South Hamgyong Province, at 7.06am and 7.25am local time. The missiles travelled about 450km at an altitude of 60 km, it said.

“South Korean and US intelligence authorities are analysing the projectiles in detail, weighing the possibility that they could be short-range ballistic missiles,” a statement from Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff read.

Japan’s prime minister Yoshihide Suga condemned the tests and instructed officials to ensure the safety of aircraft, vessels, and other assets. Mr Suga asked the military to all possible measures for precaution and readiness for contingencies following the missile test, a statement read.

“The first launch in just less than a year represents a threat to peace and stability in Japan and the region and violates UN resolutions,” Mr Suga said, adding that he would “thoroughly discuss” North Korea issues with Mr Biden during his expected visit next month.

Japan also lodged a formal protest over the launches through its embassy in China.

US Indo-Pacific Command military spokesman Mike Kafka said in a statement that the US is “aware of North Korean missile launches this morning into the East Sea” and they will continue to monitor the situation.

“This activity highlights the threat that North Korea's illicit weapons program poses to its neighbours and the international community. The US commitment to the defence of the Republic of Korea and Japan remains ironclad," Mr Kafka said.

The reaction came after Mr Biden played down a non-ballistic missile launch that took place over the weekend, describing it as being at the “low end” of provocations and “business as usual”, and officials in Washington said they were still open to dialogue with Pyongyang.

Mr Biden’s diplomatic overtures to North Korea have gone unanswered, and Pyongyang said it would not engage until Washington drops hostile policies, including carrying out military drills with South Korea.

North Korea last launched short-range ballistic missiles in late March 2020, and has not reported any long-range ballistic missile test since 2017 after former president Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un reached a deal in Singapore that Pyongyang would cease such exercises.

The relationship between the two remained stalled after the second meeting between Mr Trump and Mr Kim collapsed in February 2019 as they failed to reach an agreement over denuclearisation in North Korea.

The missile tests also came just days after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited South Korea and Japan to push China to lead efforts on North Korea’s disarmament by using its “tremendous influence” with Mr Kim’s regime.

Kim Jong-un’s powerful sister last week berated the United States over its latest round of drills, describing them as an invasion rehearsal and warned Washington to “refrain from causing a stink.”

Additional reporting by agencies