U.S. condemns North Korean ballistic missile launch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States on Saturday strongly condemned a North Korea ballistic missile launch and said it would take all necessary measures to protect the U.S. homeland and allies in the region.

A statement from Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, said the missile, launched into the sea off Japan’s west coast, did not pose an immediate threat but had raised tensions in the region. “The United States will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the American homeland and Republic of Korea and Japanese allies,” she said.

(Reporting by Steve Holland and Ted Hesson; editing by Diane Craft)