A missile flew over Japan, landing in the Pacific ocean just north of Hokkaido, South Korea, which dramatically escalated tensions on the Korean peninsula.

The last time a North Korean projectile flew over Japan was in 2009, when the nation claimed it to have been a faulty rocket that was intended to carry a communications satellite into orbit. Of course, the United States, Japan and South Korea were all skeptical, considering it to have been a ballistic missile.

According to South Korean military officials, the missile traveled 2,700 km,  reached altitudes of 550km, and was launched from Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, just before 6 a.m. (1 p.m. PST).

According to Yoshihide Suga, Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, the missile from North Korea fell 1,180km east of Cape Erimo on Hokkaido. NHK, a public Japanese broadcaster reported that the missile broke into three pieces before plummeting into the ocean below.

Voicing concern and protest, Suga explained that “it is an unprecedented, serious and grave threat to our nation.”

Suga also highlighted that the launch was in direct violation of resolutions with the United Nations, and expressed that Japan will work with the United states, South Korea, and any other concerned parties in a response.

The Japanese government’s J-Alert warning system alerted citizens in the area and warned them to take precautions.

Although the Japanese military did not attempt to shoot down the missile, the Pentagon was sure that the missile that flew past Japan did not pose any threat in reaching the United States, but mentioned that it was still collecting information.

North Korea’s launching of these missiles is a direct instance of North Korea’s continued defiance of sanctions set by the U.N.

Earlier this month, Kim Jong Un made threats to fire missiles in the sea near Guam, a U.S. Pacific territory. Donald Trump, responded to these threats with intent, proclaiming that any continued threats or actions would be met with “fire and fury”.

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