The weapon appears to be a medium-range missile that reached an altitude of 2,000 km before hitting the Sea of Japan. Japan, South Korea, also the United States have condemned the launch, the seventh test this month. The United Nations has banned ballistic and nuclear tests on North Korea and imposed harsh sanctions.
But the East Asian nation regularly defies the ban, and leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to strengthen his country's defenses.
Experts say there are so many reasons for the launch wave, including signaling power politics to global and regional powers, Kim Jong Un's desire to push the United States back into protracted nuclear talks, and the practical need to test new technologies and military command systems.
The moment is also considered necessary, ahead of the Winter Olympics in China and South Korea's presidential election in March.
And testing is also increasing as North Korea's volatile economy struggles under US-led sanctions over decades of pandemic woes and mismanagement.
Missile Test in North Korea: What Does Kim Jong Un Want?
South Korea said the launch took place off North Korea's east coast on Sunday at 07:52 local time (22:52 GMT). Japanese and South Korean officials estimate that the missile reached an altitude of 2,000 km (1,240 miles) and flew to a range of 800 km (500 miles) in 30 minutes.
The United States has urged North Korea to "refrain from further destabilizing actions."
