North Korea fires long range missile ahead of Japan-South Korea talks

North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) just hours before the leaders of South Korea and Japan were due to meet for landmark talks.

Both Japanese and South Korean officials confirmed the long-range missile's launch on Thursday morning.

It flew about 1,000km (620 miles) landing in waters west of Japan.

It is Pyongyang's fourth missile launch in a week and comes as the US and South Korea hold joint navy drills.

The other missiles launched - last Thursday, on Saturday and on Monday - had been short-range ballistic missiles. read more