Australian political leaders have joined the global condemnation of North Korea over its latest ballistic-missile test.
The United States has called on Asia-Pacific countries to join it in tackling what it describes as the North Korean menace. And as Gareth Boreham reports, analysts say the threat is very real
While news of the latest missile test was slow to reach the people of North Korea, on the streets of the capital Pyongyang, the response was universally congratulatory.
Student Kim Guk Bom says his country has made a stand against its enemies.
"We will continue to build up our capacity for self-defence, with nuclear forces and a pre-emptive-strike capability as the main points, as long as our enemies continue sanctions to suppress us. We will defend the peace and security of our country at any cost."
Resident Ri Sung Hyok also applauded the show of force, the first test since Donald Trump became United States president.
"Our experience shows us that the power of the army-first policy is the power to defend our fatherland and our country. In future, we will also carry on with the independence of our army-first policy, whatever anyone says."
But, elsewhere, there is strong condemnation, led by neighbouring South Korea.
The country's foreign-ministry spokesman, Cho June-Hyuck, says the launch is a clear violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
"We sternly warn that, if the Kim Jong-un regime does not give up its delusion of nuclear-missile provocations, the North Korean regime will destroy itself in the near future." (Korean ...)
In Australia, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop have also called on North Korea to stop what they refer to as reckless and dangerous conduct.
Officials say the missile flew east towards the Sea of Japan for about 500 kilometres but fell short of Japanese territorial waters.
It occurred as the country prepares to mark this week's 75th anniversary of the birth of Kim Jong-un's father, Kim Jong-Il.
But it also coincided with Donald Trump sitting down to dinner in the state of Florida with Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe during his visit to the United States.
Prime Minister Abe described the missile launch as "absolutely intolerable," and the US president was quick to back his guest.
"I just want everybody to understand and fully know that the United States of America stands behind Japan, its great ally, 100 per cent. Thank you."
In Washington, International Institute for Strategic Studies nuclear-policy analyst Mark Fitzpatrick suggests the timing of the test is not coincidental.
"There are technical reasons for the test, and there are political reasons. North Korea has been on a very fast-paced program to try to develop a missile that could hit the United States. But the exact timing, you know, to happen when Prime Minister Abe is visiting President Trump, that's pretty suspicious. So, probably sending a message of defiance to the United States after the President's strong message, and that makes Kim Jong-un look strong at home."
And Mark Fitzpatrick warns that strength should not be underestimated.
While North Korea currently has the capacity to launch short- and medium-range missiles, he says its capabilities are increasing every year.
"Within the first term of the Trump administration, within four years, North Korea could have a nuclear-tipped ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) that could hit the United States if something isn't done to halt the program or to slow it down."
A senior White House policy adviser, Stephen Miller, says the Trump administration will look to its Pacific allies to help deter North Korea from what he calls its increasing hostility.
"What you saw last night from the President of the United States was an important show of solidarity between the United States and Japan, a powerful symbol to the world as the Prime Minister of Japan and the President of America stood side-by-side and shoulder-to-shoulder and expressed the strength and enduring nature of our vital alliance. And that is a message that will be lost on no-one. The President's comments on this are clear. The message we're sending to the world right now is a message of strength and solidarity. We stand with Japan and we stand with our allies in the region to address the North Korean menace."
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