North Korea has launched a submarine-launched ballistic missile toward Japan posing a threat to the island nation’s national security.

The missile, which was fired at 5.30am local time and flew about 500km, landed in the Air Defence Identification Zone of Japan – a designated area that extends past a nation’s borders where aircrafts must be identified in interest of national security.

The move has sparked concern and criticism from Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe.

Mr Abe said the missile launch was “an unforgivable act that damages regional peace and stability markedly”.

The launch coincides with a meeting of the foreign ministers of China, Japan and South Korea that was scheduled to happen in Tokyo.

The successful missile test was in defiance of the United Nation’s sanctions.

– TiVi Tuan-san