Japanese PM Kishida condemns N. Korea missile launch

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has strongly criticized North Korea's latest missile launch and pledged to work closely with the United States and South Korea in responding to the situation.

Kishida, who is now in Lithuania to attend a NATO summit meeting, noted that North Korea has been firing projectiles repeatedly since the beginning of this year, including ICBM-class missiles.

The prime minister said Japan will continue intelligence-gathering and surveillance, and do its best to ensure peace and security in partnership with the US and South Korea. Kishida was scheduled to take part in an AP4 meeting of Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, and meet with their leaders, including South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol.

He said he will use such opportunities to confirm the countries' cooperation in dealing with North Korea.