Overview

• The United States, South Korea, and Japan conducted joint air drills involving long-range bombers in response to North Korea's recent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test.
• North Korea launched a Hwasong-18 ICBM, its most advanced missile, as a warning over perceived confrontational steps by the U.S. and South Korea.
• The U.S., South Korea, and Japan criticized the missile launch as a provocation and violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions.
• North Korea and Russia clashed with the U.S., South Korea, and their allies at an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting over the missile launch.
• Despite North Korea's ballistic missile tests, new international sanctions have been avoided due to opposition from China and Russia, both permanent members of the U.N. Security Council.