Bishop condemns North Korea missile launch

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has urged North Korea to cease its nuclear and missile program.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has urged North Korea to cease its nuclear and missile program. (AAP)

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has condemned North Korea for its "total disregard" of global security.

North Korea fired a ballistic missile from its east coast into the sea off the Peninsula, according to South Korea's military.

The launch comes just a day before a 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.

"Australia condemns North Korea's most recent ballistic missile launch," Ms Bishop said in a statement, adding it was another clear breach of international obligations.