North Korea sends missile soaring over Japan in escalation

Members of Japan’s Self-Defence Force respond to a report of North Korea’s missile launch (Kyodo News/AP)

North Korea has conducted its longest-ever weapons test, a nuclear-capable ballistic missile that flew over Japan and could reach the US Pacific territory of Guam and beyond, forcing the Japanese government to issue evacuation alerts and halt trains.

The South Korean and US militaries responded by launching fighter jets which fired weapons at a target off South Korea’s west coast in a show of strength against North Korea.