North Korea shoots ballistic missiles

North Korea has fired a ballistic missile at sea, South Korean Defence Minister said.

The launch was the first reported by Japan's coastal guard earlier Wednesday, before being confirmed by the defence authorities in Seoul later.

The UN has banned North Korea from testing its ballistic or nuclear weapons, reports the BBC, translates Periscope.

This is the first Pyongyang launched missile after leader Kim Jong pledged to reinforce his country's defence capabilities last month.

The South Korean and American intelligence “is closely analyzing for other details,” is said in a joint statement.

According to Japan's defence minister, Nobuo Kish, ballistic missiles had flown about 300 miles [500 km].