The United States and South Korea have maintained that their military training is defensive.South Korea’s National Security Council held an emergency meeting following the launch and described North Korea’s continued ballistic missile tests as acts of provocation. It urged Pyongyang to stop activities that violate UN Security Council resolutions.South Korea’s military said it remained prepared to respond to any provocation under its combined defence posture with the United States.According to Reuters, the military said it would respond “overwhelmingly” if necessary.Japan also lodged a protest with North Korea through diplomatic channels. “It’s a serious problem that affects the safety of the Japanese people,” Japanese defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi told reporters.Japan’s defence ministry said the missile landed outside its EEZ. Koizumi said Tokyo had “strongly condemned” the launch.There was no immediate statement from Pyongyang on Wednesday’s launch.The launch follows another reported ballistic missile test on August 6, when South Korea, the United States and Japan detected a short-range ballistic missile launched by North Korea.That was the North’s first reported ballistic weapons test since late June. North Korea did not immediately confirm that launch, although Pyongyang often releases details of weapons tests a day after they take place.The latest launches come amid a broader continuation of North Korea’s weapons-testing programme.