Japanese, US, S Korean Military Hold Talks on North's Nuclear, Missile Programs

High-ranking Japanese, US and South Korean military officials held a teleconference on Wednesday on the growing threat emanating from North Korea in connection with the development of its nuclear and missile programs, local media reported.

TOKYO (Sputnik) — During the talks, the parties agreed that after Pyongyang announced the successful launch of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), its nuclear and missile programs began to pose a threat not only to Northeast Asia, but also to other countries, the NHK broadcaster said.

The military also reportedly came to a conclusion that tripartite cooperation in the military sector should be stepped up to increase defense capacity, while at the same time exerting pressure on North Korea,

On July 4, Pyongyang confirmed it had carried out a successful launch of its first ICBM, the Hwasong-14, which fell into the Sea of Japan. North Korean media reported that the missile flew 933 kilometers (580 miles) and reached a maximum altitude of 2,802 kilometers.