Updated April 05, 2017 15:10:22

Photo: North Korea has conducted several ballistic missile tests over the last year. (Reuters: KCNA, file)

North Korea has fired another ballistic missile from its east coast into the sea off the Peninsula ahead of a summit between US and Chinese leaders who are set to discuss Pyongyang's arms program.

The launch was from Sinpo, a port city on the North's east coast, and the missile flew about 60 kilometres, South Korea's Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said — Sinpo is the site of a North Korean submarine base.

The launch comes just a day before the start of a summit meeting between US President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping, where talks about adding pressure on the North to drop its arms development will take centre stage.

US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, released a brief response to the launch.

"North Korea launched yet another intermediate range ballistic missile. The United States has spoken enough about North Korea. We have no further comment," the statement said.

Any launch of objects using the ballistic missile technology is a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions, but the North has repeatedly defied the ban as infringement of its sovereign rights to self defence and the pursuit of space exploration.

Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop condemned the latest missile launch calling it a "clear breach" of North Korea's "international obligations".

"North Korea's long-term interest would be best served by ceasing its nuclear and missile programs and engaging positively with the international community," she said.

Ms Bishop said Australia continues to work closely with its partners in the region to "address the threats posed by North Korea", and "we strongly support UN Security Council Sanctions".

North Korea attempted to launch a ballistic missile two weeks ago from its east coast and earlier in March fired four missiles towards Japan, some of which came as close as 300 kilometres to its coast.

The reclusive state has also conducted two nuclear weapons tests since January 2016.

The US military's Pacific Command said initial assessments indicated the launch was of a KN-15 medium-range ballistic missile, which would be the same kind North Korea test-launched in February.

Trump threatens to use trade to pressure Beijing

The North is believed to be developing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that can hit the United States and its leader, Kim Jong-un, has vowed to test-launch one at any time.

North Korea's launch of four ballistic missiles towards Japan has unnerved the US, and it has decided enough is enough, writes Philip Williams.

Experts and officials in the South and the United States believe Pyongyang is still some time away from mastering all the technology needed for an operational ICBM system, such as re-entry of the atmosphere and subsequent missile guidance.

Topping the agenda of the US-China summit in Florida will be whether Mr Trump will make good on his threat to use crucial trade ties with China to pressure Beijing to do more to rein in Pyongyang.

A senior US White House official said Mr Trump wanted to work with China and described the discussions over North Korea as a test for the US-Chinese relationship.

Mr Trump wants China to do more to exert its economic influence over unpredictable Pyongyang to restrain its nuclear and missile programs, while Beijing has said it does not have that kind of influence.

Reuters

Topics: defence-and-national-security, world-politics, donald-trump, foreign-affairs, korea-democratic-people-s-republic-of, asia, china, united-states

First posted April 05, 2017 12:14:20